The Best 80s Pop/Rock Band You Never Heard?
Robert Szarka | Norwich, CT USA | 01/27/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Admittedly, top-40 rock isn't my scene; but this album, along with 1982's World of Sand and 1984's Light Manuevers, surely proves that program directors were playing whatever the corporate titans shoved down their throats instead of seeking out fresh, new bands in 1983. A track like "Thank God" may not have mass appeal, but take a listen to "Burning Bridges", "Fallout", "Heart to Heart", or "Can't Go Back" and tell me that it didn't belong in heavy rotation next to 1983 hit-makers like Journey, Duran Duran, and Kenny Loggins. Sadly, Servant remained trapped in the CCM ghetto and their music never made it far beyond "Christian" book stores.
Still, maybe that's all for the best. If you like 80s pop music but want to hear something that hasn't been blaring at you in elevators for 25 years, Caught in the Act of Loving Him might be just the thing. The sound quality isn't perfect, but it's surprisingly good for an indie release of the period. And let me allay your fears about the lyrics: this isn't preachy Christian propaganda, it's well-crafted pop that even us open-minded "non-believers" can enjoy.
One other word of praise for this CD re-release: Retroactive Records didn't cheap out on the liner notes. Full lyrics, as well as a short history of the band, are included."
Great Memories Of A Bygone Era
S. Thunder | Indiana | 11/26/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Wow...Servant. Back in the early to mid 1980's, I was a DJ at one of the top Christian radio stations in the country, and I fondly remember the group Servant and their music. I remember one particular festival in Puyallup, Washington where Servant headlined along with Steve Taylor. I remember watching Bob, the lead singer jumping and leaping around the stage, and asking the bass player backstage how he could do all those moves without his shirt getting untucked. The bass player said "cause he tucks it in all the way down to his ankles". There was and still is something sweet about Servant. Their music is a testimony to the way we used music to reach the lost back in the 1980's. Christian music then was really exciting...bands were making music no Christian bands had done before, and Servant put on quite a show to go with their earnest preaching. This album, "Caught IN The Act Of Loving Him" is I think the best of the Servant records, although "Light Maneuvers" was a close second. I always liked Sandy Brock's vocals, even though they were an acquired taste. These people were sold out for Jesus, and used rock music to excite and inspire teens and 20 somethings, of which I was one. Salute, Servant! Great music and great memories!"
Good Music
Jedidiah Palosaari | Fes, Morocco | 10/23/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Bias: I grew up with the musicians and they are good friends of mine.
Servant was the type of band that didn't make as much money as they might, for they wanted to be true to the message. Not their message, or even their sound, but The Message. Most Christian groups have their biggest following among Christians. But most Christian groups don't preach to Christians, calling them to return to the way of Christ. Servant consistently spoke about poverty and justice, about the call to live in poverty with Christ and care for the poor, to truly be community to each other and not just a church, to go out and be The Church. This was especially true in Now Is The Time, where a laser would map out the entire world as Servant played, becoming the first major Christian group to use lasers in their sets.
A little note: That's Randy MacDonald on the front cover, the bus driver for the band. He was the only one at the time who had reflective sunglasses, so he got on the cover.
Shallow Water
Rockin' Revival
World of Sand + 2"
