Customer Reviews

Smell the Color 9

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is Chris' third CD outing, and the third time's a charm. Production-wise, this work is an aural delight. Amazing! Moreover, the song arrangements are finely tuned, yet full of surprises, too. Musically, Chris seems to push the piano, rather than the guitar, be at the forefront of the selections. There's some acoustic guitar here, but keyboards occupy center stage. The result is a work that calms and inspires at the same time. Lyrically, this work shines. The man has a way with words -- words from the heart, concrete word pictures and real-life characters that resonate in our own hearts and provide a window through which we can better see ourselves and the issues we deal with in our lives. Top cuts would be "Questions For Heaven," "Smell The Color 9," the hauntingly beatuiful "Belong," "Home Tonight," -- well, actually, EVERY song is a keeper. Overall, the CD hits you at a level that will move you, for sure. It is superior to "Past The Edges." Is it better than "Deep Enough To Dream"? There's no comparison, because it's an apples and oranges kind of thing. Is it worth buying? You betcha! Oh yes, be sure to get the limited edition CD, while available. It's adds three great piano arrangements of traditional hymns. Enjoy!

This CD is the best one Chris Rice has made! Overall, "Smell the Color 9" is an excellent CD. The songs are both enlightening and well written. Chris Rice is without a doubt one of the rising stars in Christian music. Two of my favorite songs on the CD are "Questions for Heaven?" and the title song "Smell the Color 9". If you are a Chris Rice fan, this CD is a must. If you are a fan of Contemporary Christian music you will love it too. And if you're not, and just a fan of well written, well sung, entertaining music that makes you think, I highly suggest it!

'Life Means So Much' is the last track on this LP, or in this case CD. And throughout this album Chris Rice's love of life in Christ is reflected through his voice. From the fun, frolicking first track 'Questions for Heaven' to the waxing philosophic of the title track Rice not only focuses on Christ as in 'Face Of Christ' he refuses to take himself too seriously as in the aforementioned title track and 'Sailing With Russell'. Although Rice takes a light-hearted approach to many pretty deep theological wonderings, he balances the album well with songs such as 'Belong' and 'My Prayer'.

My personal favorite though is 'Life Means So Much' which has a carpe diem theme to it and tells all, Believers and non-believers alike, how important are the choices we make on a daily basis. Ultimately the only way we can make the most of everyday is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. How will you choose?

On a scale of 12, I give this album a 10 and would recommend it to all other than hard-core alternative enthusiasts or those who just don't care for Chris Rice's voice.

Semper fi & agape, Ed D.

From the opening "Questions for Heaven", Chris Rice unveils a little more glimpse of his questioning mind, posing questions that we all ask, and cleverly asking "What causes deja vu?" twice!

The opening line from "Smell the Color Nine" won me over to this CD. "I would take 'no' for an answer just to know I heard You speak." - How profound. And "I've never heard the 'calling' but somehow you've led me right here." Another deep statement. But cloaking this depth is an element of humor, as goes the title and the final line when Rice lets us know "his point exactly."

"Belong", "Home Tonight" and "My Prayer" are highlights of Rice's brilliant writing, crafting together lilting melodies with inspirational lyrics.

Perhaps the most challenging lyrical song on this album is "Face of Christ" - a surefire hit single, and musically, a more aggressive tune than his usual style. The song pierces you to the heart, reminding us in upfront fashion that "even if we find ourselves in a better place", we can't look down on others, because what we do "for these little ones" we are doing for Christ, as Scripture says. In essence, when we see them, we are looking in the face of Christ. In my opinion, the most challenging song to come out in 2000.

"Sailing with Russell" and "Magic Wand" are just fun - no major depth to either, but great mid-tempo pieces. The only misstep on the album is the song "Somebody's Watchin", which seems to delve into the cliched Christian music that we are already bombarded with.

The album ends with, in my opinion, the greatest Chris Rice song to date. "Life Means So Much" delivers many thoughts of the essence of life and the time we're given. "Every day is a journal page," "Every day is a bank account". "Every day is a gift you've been given..." And the beautifully written "Teach us to count the days; Teach us to make the days count." Only a brilliant mind could put together an album of lyrics so seamless, so deep, and yet so spiritually engaging.

Don't miss this album. It's one of the highlights of Christian music.

I absolutely LOVE this CD! Chris Rice is such an amazing singer/songwriter!

1. Questions For Heaven - Typical Chris Rice! It's set to circus music, and the lyrics are wonderful. It's a fun song.

2. Smell the Color 9 - The title track is about how sometimes finding God can seem as hopeless as trying to "smell the color nine", yet Chris makes sure to remind us that it's not!

3. Belong - I would suggest reading the lyrics to this song as if it were a poem, because it's just so beautiful. One of the slower songs.

4. Face of Christ - I love this upbeat song. It made me realize that I shouldn't look down on people who aren't as fortunate, because I "might be seeing the face of Christ."

5. Home Tonight - My personal interpretation of this song is about how no matter how many times we run away from God, he's still there waiting for us to come home. Another of the slower songs.

6. Magic Wand - Another fun song! It's not my favorite, but it's pretty close!

7. Sailing With Russell - Now, everyone who hears this song is left pondering the question "Who's Russell?" I know I was! But, in spite of the mystery, it's a great song. I love the music.

8. My Prayer - I think the reason I love Chris Rice's music so much is because I can identify so well with his lyrics. Reminds me of "Naive" off of his second CD.

9. Somebody's Watching - One of my least favorites, but it's a catchy tune with good lyrics. I like it.

10. Life Means So Much - The title basically sums this song up. Again, I would suggest reading the lyrics first, because it is so poetic. The words are so creative and beautiful.

So, I guess you can tell that I HIGHLY recommend this CD to everyone! It would also make a great birthday or Christmas gift for teens or adults. It's great for introducing someone to Christian music. I give it 20 stars!

This third CD from Chris Rice is a delight. Similar to his first two releases, Smell the Color 9 is an eclectic mix of catchy, clever pop tunes, heart wrenching ballads, and simple songs of praise for the God of Creation. I have to admit, however, that it is very strange feeling to buy a CD, pop it in the CD player, and hear someone singing the thoughts from my own heart. Chris Rice has a gift for taking the details of our daily walk (like "pillow hair", for instance) and giving them the flavor of worship and praise. Though I have yet to meet a CD that could de-throne Deep Enough to Dream, SC9 is worth every penny spent, and then some.

I'm the type of person who can fall in love with anything for the silliest reasons. When I heard the title of Chris Rice's new song "Smell the Color 9" (from the CD of the same name) I flipped. It was perfect. Nine is my lucky number, and I could just see the color (As far as I'm concerned it's a sort of washed out red.). My nostrils flared as I tried to catch the scent, and I fell in love with Chris Rice's newest metaphor. Rice's music enthralls me. It has a simple, childlike charm. The melodies are soft, barely tangible. The words are so heart-felt, beautifully muddled. Smell the Color 9 was soon on my Christmas list. I got it and listened with rapt attention. The first track on the CD ("Questions For Heaven") convinced me I hadn't wasted a gift. The "clumsy fly" was back from "Deep Enough to Dream". Chris begins, with childlike sincerity, to sing my heart out. I remember being a little girl, imagining how God would someday make everything clear and tell me "what's out past the edges? And what about UFO's, taste buds, and tornadoes? Why do we dream? Oh, and what causes deja vu?" That someone else asks these ridiculous questions and puts them to music was a delight! It is the world through a child's eyes. Asking questions, wondering what it would be like to change things with a touch, feeling lost but knowing He's waiting, letting the Lord rock you to sleep... I felt a wonderful kinship with Chris through his music. Any confused teen will find comfort in "Home Tonight" or "My Prayer". It's full of hope and love. After the songs listed ( If you skip forward and then skip back) there are three extra tracks of Chris playing traditional hymns on his piano. This is more mild but just as beautiful. If you like illusive scents or just good music, Chris Rice's Smell the Color 9 is there.

I've been a fan of Chris Rice since his first CD was released and was looking forward to this CD from the moment I heard about it. When I first got it, I was very disappointed with it and couldn't quite place my finger on why. I'm still not sure what the problem was, but this CD has definitely grown on me and now I rate it up there with his others.

The CD opens with the fun "Questions for Heaven," in which Chris lists some of the things he wants to ask God when he gets to Heaven. Frankly, some of these now need to be in an FAQ at the gate because I'm sure I'm not the only one that Chris has gotten curious. I especially enjoy the nods to some of Chris's previous hits.

The title song takes a serious issue and makes a fun point. God has used it many times to increase my faith when trying to figure God out was like trying to "Smell the Color 9."

Another favorite God has brought to my mind on more then one occasion is "Magic Wand." Patience has never been one of my strengths, but this song points out that it takes time to overcome things and to keep asking for God's help.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the simple faith evidenced by "My Prayer." It always brings a smile to my face.

I'm certainly glad I didn't give up on this CD when I first got it. There's some great stuff hidden in here. If you already have it, give it another try. And if you don't, approach it with an open mind. It's not quite like his other stuff, but it's certainly just as good.

I bought this CD because I had heard the song Face of Christ on the radio. I hadn't heard the rest of the CD. Now I have and I love it!! Chris says all the things that I have thought and wondered. When I listen to Chris I feel like I can almost see heaven. Questions for Heaven is musically and spiritually a joy, your heart sings along. I give praise to my Father in Heaven for Chris Rice's musical ability. CAN'T QUIT PLAYING THIS CD, THANK YOU CHRIS!!

Smell The Color 9 is my third Chris Rice CD purchase and I am quite pleased with the music......it's got a bit of different twist to it than his previous works, but the sweet, breezy, loving effect of his words and voice remain! This is very easy on the ears(admittedly however, I am not particularly thrilled with the intro of the first song).