Rating 4.5

The Hinge in Tonio's Catalogue

Of all the Tonio K albums, this one was polished to a very fine glow in anticipation of a wide release. After the critical acclimation of the early work there was plenty of interest among industry insiders, yet the music buying public still wasn't really sure of who Tonio K was or what he did. So this collection of songs was given the spit-shine treatment and directed at a new market - namely the CCM-buying public of the 80s. Because the CCM crowd wasn't exactly sure who this guy was either, they accepted him as "a new guy" with a new sound. But Tonio K was simply carrying on the work he had been doing for years and this album fitted nicely up against his previous releases. The only difference is the polish. Nothing before or since has been quite as slickly produced.

There has been much made about the opinion that "I Handle Snakes" doesn't belong on this album and most of this can be attributed to Tonio K himself stating this opinion on the original liner notes. All these years later, listening again... I think I have to disagree. "I Handle Snakes" fits quite nicely as a bookend against a bunch of tunes that have the same lyrical feel.

This album was not a milestone in CCM, nor was it the high point in Tonio K's catalogue (the limited release EP "La Bomba" is arguably the acme of K), but it is the most audience friendly in that it appeals to the widest cross section of listeners. It feels much like a late 80s album at this point and is prone to bringing back waves of nostalgia for anyone who was familiar with it back in 1986.

An oasis in the desert

Now, 16 years later, I still smile at the humor of "Impressed" and "Romeo and Jane." After relistening to it recently, the melodies are running through my head -- and it's a pleasure. The music and product are a little dated, but the songwriting and lyrics are as insightful today as they were in 1986.

a top ten album of 1986 that never got airplay