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I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU (1998)
We're not exactly sure why the group had to change their name from "Far from Home" to FFH; something about it already being taken by a TV drama, but this fact doesn't affect the impact of their music. FFH is an energetic new Christian pop band breaking into the Christian music world with their debut album, I Want to Be Like You. Composed of three guys-- Jeromy Deibler, Brian Smith, and Steve Croyle-- and one girl, Jennifer Deibler, FFH's first project brings along some high expectations for the group's future.Not only is their music Christ-centered, but it's appealing to all age groups, young and old alike. No further proof of this statement is needed than to listen to the radio singles FFH has already released this past year. "One Of These Days" is the album's opener and a very suitable one at that. It's an upbeat song about waiting for Jesus' return and provides a lyrical glimpse of the new Heaven and Earth. Track #2, "Take Me As I Am," was the first single released to radio and it was also FFH's first #1 hit. This song was released on an EP beforehand and almost didn't make it on the debut album, but it was recorded thanks to early fans who wrote in to request it be put on the CD. It has more of an acoustic, almost rock sound which appeals more to the younger generation. The title track of the album was also a #1 song for the group, but with a slower, more laid back tune. "I Want To Be Like You" is pretty much self-explanatory; the words of the song are a prayer to be just like Jesus ("Take my cross and follow after you / speak the truth in everything I do / Leave the many to go and find the few / I want to be like you"). Track #6, "Big Fish," is a fun song that explores FFH's playful side while still delivering a powerful message based on the book of Jonah. Another "Generation X" song, youth will easily pick up on the lyrics, such as "You're a couple fries short of a Happy Meal." On the other hand, "So Is His Love" is another more acoustic tune about many spiritual subjects...hope, faith, salvation, and especially love. This song sounds like it's written primarily for the lost and is a great witness itself. The remaining songs on the CD are all worthy of a radio spot, but sadly FFH couldn't make that happen. Track #3 and track #7, entitled "Fall To You" and "Wholly To You," respectively, are more mellow tunes about repentance, and both are on the worshipful side. On a totally different end of the spectrum is track #5, "I'm Alright," which sounds nothing like the Jars of Clay song by the same name. As a matter of fact, it more closely resembles the style of Caedmon's Call with a bluegrass melody. The song discusses the happiness and joy found only in Jesus, nowhere else. "Only You" is track #8 and a sleeper of a tune. It sounds incredibly like a rewrite of "Fall To You" and has a good, worshipful message, but it's incredibly repetitive. The next song, "Breathe In Me," wakes things up. Thankfully. With a wonderful instrumental and vocal performance, FFH offers a view of getting away from God and being drawn back to Him by his everlasting love in this song, begging Him to breathe in all of us when we fall. "Little Change" follows with a style similar to that of Clay Crosse's. Once again, it's another space-filler on the album, with a boring, repetitive tune. The "little change" discussed in the song's motif is actually referring to accepting Jesus as personal Lord and Savior...the greatest change a human being could possibly make. The last song on the CD, "Power In His Blood" is about just that and draws a decent closure to the album. Because "there's power in His blood, forgiveness in His hands, and a peace in His love that we can't understand," we are able to have peace of mind just knowing that God will always love us no matter what. The song is a slow one, but doesn't drag on like "Only You" or "Little Change," making it one of the best on the album.
One final complaint about I Want To Be Like You is the lyric foldout. The inside art is just a few pictures of the group and the lyrics are written in an incredibly red font with a white background, making it very difficult to read. In other words, it's boring. FFH, however, is not. Pick up a copy of this CD if you get the chance, or if you're feeling more adventurous, buy their newest release, Found A Place, and hear for yourself why the group is so successful.
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