The Archers Stand Up!
Light (LS5755)
CCM Magazine "What's New"
- July 1979


 

Tim, Steve and Janice are back with another album of their infectious, hand-clapping music title Stand Up, Basically, it’s a collection of 10 tunes, eight of which come fresh from The Archers and their writers.  All of the tunes bear the special touch of vocal and instrumental arrangement responsible for the “Archers sound.”

Side 1 kicks off with Only His Love, a stylish number reminiscent of With Every Breath I Take from their last album.  Once again, Steve Archer provides the superb lead vocals on this and many of the others on this album.  His voice continues to mature and become more flexible to accommodate both the slickness of this opening cut and funkiness of the title tune, Stand Up, among others.  Incidentally, that song brings to mind some of the best work of The Staple Singers and sounds like a great concert number.  Sister Janice is featured on two cuts this time, the beautiful Moments with You and a reworking of Kelly Willard’s smash, Blame It on the One I Love.  Tim’s vocals sound stronger and more confident than ever on his solos.  Together these three sing so tight you’d think they were related!

In conclusion, Stand Up should really be considered another chapter in The Archers’ book of music.  It is a continuation of the musical style established many albums ago, yet it remains a fresh and joyful expression that belongs exclusively to them and will probably be received enthusiastically by their listeners.