The Plan is the third and final studio album from American Christian pop group Raze. It was released on November 7, 2000, via ForeFront Records. It was produced by Michael-Anthony Taylor, Tedd T. and Peter Kipley and is Raze's first record produced fully in the United States; it marks a shift away from the europop influence featured on the group's previous releases, focusing instead on a slower sound with stronger hip-hop and R&B elements.
The Plan was supported with the release of two preceding singles, "The Plan" and the number 1 Christian contemporary radio hit "More Than a Dream".
Critical reception
Upon release The Plan received a somewhat mediocre critical response with the album being considered a less high-energy output in contrast to Power. Jesus Freak Hideouts John DiBiase noted the album's stylistic shift "The Plan doesn't seem to carry quite the 'power' that their debut album possessed. With a little more emphasis on beats and a little heavier hip-hop influence", concluding that the album is "a decent follow-up to Power, but nothing really extraordinary." AllMusic's Steve Losey also gave The Plan a mixed rating but commended the group's performance, "This unit shifts gears flawlessly, interchanging rhythms and styles on par with bands like Backstreet Boys, En Vogue, and Destiny's Child." Cross Rhythms offered The Plan the most praise, naming Raze, "America's premier pop dance team" and describing the album's production as, "a splendiferous selection of strong, radio friendly hooks, techno-tinged beats and lots of edgy R&B-styled harmonies".
Accolades The Plan received the award for Rap/Hip-hop/Dance Album of the Year at the 32nd GMA Dove Awards on April 5, 2001.
Track listing
Production and personnel
Alan Umstead – strings Alvin Speights – mixing Bernie Grundman – mastering Bob Horn – assistant Bob Mason – cello Brian Gardner – mastering Carl Gorodetzky – strings Chad Brown – assistant Christopher Heille – arrangement preparation, engineer, guitar, programming Damon Riley – arrangement preparation, assistant, engineer, programming David Bach – executive producer Dennis "D.T." Thomas – composer Grant Green – assistant JaMarc Davis – guitar Jamie Davis – drums Jamie Rowe – background vocals Jill Greenberg – photography John Catchings – violin Julian Kindred – mixing Marcelo Pennell – engineer Micah Wilshire – guitar Michael-Anthony Taylor – producer Mooki – drum programming, keyboards, vocals Pam Sisten – strings Pete Kipley – producer Randy LeRoy – digital editing Richard Gaspart – assistant Scott McDaniel – creative director Shawn Andrews – digital editing Steve Hartly – executive producer Susannah Parrish – art direction Ted Tjornhom – composer, engineer, producer, programming Tiffany Palmer – background vocals Tim Akers – string arrangements Tom Perkins – assistant William "Willy Gunz" Morris – book direction
Charts +Chart performance for The PlanChart (2000)Peak positionUS Top Christian Albums (Billboard)31US Top Heatseekers (Billboard)25
Notes
“Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?” is an electronic cover of Christian rock and worship band Delirious?’s song of the same name that originally appeared on the band’s 1995 EP, Cutting Edge 3 (Red Tape). Raze’s version includes an extended eight-minute-long hidden-song featuring a slowed dance beat and spoken-word passages performed by the group. The song "This Is" can be found on the special advance release edition of The Plan but was not included in the final tracklist.
References