On The Supertones' fourth album, Loud and Clear, frontman and chief lyricist Matt Morginsky uses words like "propitiation" and "apostate," successfully disguising them under a cover of fun, sort of like your mom trying to hide cough syrup in your Kool Aid. Not to say that learning can't be fun, but ska is better known for its frenectic, brass-soaked songs and not as a tranquil institution of higher education. While ska is the default category for The Supertones, Loud and Clear continues movements made on its previous disc, Chase the Sun, that pushed the band towards a sound that's a little tougher to label. Ska still remains at the core, but other elements-rap, reggae, pop punk-are beginning to assume their own roles as well. For a band bent on having this much fun, the maturity found in its writing is almost uncanny. Songs tackle topics from apologetics ("Escape From Reason") to true Christian revival ("Return of the Revolution"), from doubting God ("Wilderness") to praising God for the tough times ("Jury Duty"). The tropical feel of "Lift Me Up" emits sweet praise: "I'm unworthy to call upon Your name from way down here/So I say lift me up from my lowly estate/Where I can see You clothed in majesty and light." Plenty of less formal topics are covered too, like references to pop icons such as "The A-Team" and Run DMC. It's truly hard to find any hiccups on Loud and Clear. Instead, it's loaded with irresistibly catchy tracks and a relaxed feel that could only come from a band that has the sun and beach perpetually available for inspiration. -- David Mackle (c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc.

Song List
1. Escape From Reason
2. What It Comes To
3. Jury Duty
4. Lift Me Up
5. Return of the Revolution
6. Wilderness
7. Father's World
8. Pandora's Box
9. Forward To The Future
10. Another Show
11. 20 / 20
12. Who Could It Be
13. Spend It With You

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