Steve Camp Albums (8)
'Mercy in the Wilderness'
Release Date 10/25/1994
Tracks 13
Label Warner Bros.
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Taking Heaven by Storm'
Release Date 1/1/1993
Tracks 10
Label Warner Alliance
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Taking Heaven by Storm isn't the most original album out there, but it does the job. It's much closer in sound and spirit to the power rock ballads of the '80s than the grunge sound that was taking over at the time of the album's release. Steve Camp's soft rock sound isn't revolutionary, but it holds the listener's attention and, every once in a while, surprises. The most innovative aspect of the album isn't its music -- it's the subject matter. Camp is bold enough to write not one, but two straightforward love songs to his wife ("The Love I Found in You" and "I'm Committed to You"). This is unusual in that Christian albums usually shy away from love songs about anyone but God, and it's refreshing to see Camp address this important part of life with his trademark passion and honesty. ~ Melinda Hill, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is probably Steve Camp's best album, only in part because he steals his musical ideas from better sources then usual. He has never lacked for honesty or passion, but his lyrical barbs are aimed even more directly than usual (at Ronald Reagan, complacent Christians, "The Wheel of Furtune," Oral Roberts...). Camp has always aspired to be Keith Green's successor as CCM's foremost fiery prophet, and Justice is his most convincing attempt (he even quotes Green verbatim in one song, singing "as our dear brother Keith once said, we're so well-fed and yet we're dead."). The musical imitations are also convincing: Camp recasts a Larry Norman folk anthem ("Great American Novel") as a Phil Collins synth ballad, and is surprisingly successful in mixing pop polish and gospel vocals with the song's Dylanisms. On "Living Dangerously," Camp perfectly mimics the richness and rhythmic flair of Bruce Hornsby's distinctive keyboard style. "Do You Feel Their Pain" is pure "We Are the World" -- an anti-AIDS ballad with an all-star cast of CCM vocalists. Camp wrote this song at a time when AIDS was hardly the cause du jour in the conservative world of Christian pop, and his arrangement does that courageousness justice. The song's a cappella choral conclusion is powerful enough to shake the most hardened cynic. Originality is not Camp's strong suit, but passion he has in spades. ~ Darryl Cater, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Bible-based songs with pop and inspirational sounds. ~ Bil Carpenter, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Steve Camp seems to think the gravelly screeching of his voice and guitars are much more aggressive then they really are. Like much of the Christian Contemporary music in the 1980s, One on One earnestly attempted to reach kids by parroting the pop stars their parents listened to (which means Camp was imitating not Phil Collins or Billy Joel, but his own Christian contemporaries). But unlike many Christian rockers, Camp honestly acknowledged that he was preaching to the converted. His lyrics do reflect that kind of uncompromising honesty -- an attribute which is considerably more noteworthy than most of his music. ~ Darryl Cater, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After God's Own Heart is a wee bit of a departure for Steve Camp, both musically and lyrically. The music veers toward a softer, more sweepingly sentimental adult contemporary sound, using piano more and screeching electric pop guitar less. Tenor saxophone and tender strings also turn up more often. Lyrically, Camp takes a break from his characteristic calls to righteousness, emphasizing themes of divine love and grace. It's possible that his willingness to wax mushy more often can be explained by the cheery pop tune "Nothing to Prove" ("Maybe it's just that I been getting older, but I've got nothing to prove to you"). But more likely it's just a desire for thematic variety. After all, there is a hint of the familiar cantankerous Camp in that same song -- "I can't live long enough to please everybody." And, in fact, future albums would prove that Camp wasn't through reminding his fans of their spiritual shortcomings. ~ Darryl Cater, All Music Guide
