Description

Can’t Stand Too Tall is the fifth studio album by the American singer, songwriter, and session bassist Rick Cua, released on Reunion Records in 1988, manufactured and distributed by Word. Also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded and mixed by Bill Deaton at Gold Mine Studio in Brentwood and various studios in Nashville, Tennessee (16th Avenue Sound, Down Stage Studios, Digital Recorders, Reflections Studio, and OmniSound Studios); with Tom Hemby producing and arranging.

‘Can’t Stand Too Tall’, Rick Cua’s fifth project (first with Reunion), finds the former Outlaws bassist walking a fine line between the anthemic rock of last year’s ‘Wear Your Colors‘ and the keyboard ruminations that filled ‘No Mystery‘ with some unfulfilled commercial promise. ‘Can’t Stand Too Tall’ remains true to the energy and substance of hits like «Lemme At ‘Em», but rather than full guitar attack, «Hard Times» and «Tunnel Vision» accentuate a hot groove with a wash of backing vocals, dynamic breaks, and hearty soloing. Clearly, Cua can still rock ‘n’ roll.

Gentler tunes, like a duet with Imperial Ron Hemby on «For the Love of God» over acoustic guitars, the encouraging «We Are All the Same», and the first radio single, «Forever Yours», accentuate Cua’s ever growing vocal abilities, the warm hooks of his songwriting, and the subtlety and nuance which might have been lost before in the feedback. All this broadens Cua’s base, giving him his first chance for serious Christian airplay, but not in a way that abandons his rock fans.

Tom Hemby has given Cua a big, accessible sound – even on the ballads. It’s a contemporary pop blast that sparkles in service of the songs, which are some of the best Cua has written yet. Collaborating with Wayne Kirkpatrick (best known for work with Michael W. Smith), Rob Frazier, John and Dino Elefante, and Bob Halligan, Jr., Cua continues to encourage a dynamic faith and a sense of positive esteem for those who identify themselves in Christ. While side two lags a bit, a common problem with many artists these day, Cua’s ‘Can’t Stand Too Tall’ continues to open him up artistically, and this time commercially as well. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, April 1988]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Hard Times” – 4:41
A2. “Can’t Stand Too Tall” – 3:44
A3. “We Are All The Same” – 3:54
A4. “For The Love Of God” – 5:29
A5. “Reckless Faith” – 4:39

Side Two
B1. “Crash The Party” – 3:39
B2. “Tunnel Vision” – 4:05
B3. “Shakedown” – 4:03
B4. “Forever Yours” – 3:59

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Reunion Records.