1998's Blue Plate Special and 1999's Neon Fixation were Beatles-influenced pop records with a mostly subtle Christian message. Both were produced by Adrian Belew who lent his guitar playing skills as well. Altizer's third album, 2000's Go Nova, was a self-produced album for a smaller label. In 2001, Altizer wrote and produced Soul Lift: Soundtrack For the Soul, a collection of artists like Johnny Cash, Stuart Mason from Jars of Clay, and others singing gospel songs with a techno backing. Also in 2001, Altizer released [All Tie Zer] on the secular pop label Not Lame with Adrian Belew on board again to provide some guitar solos. This album was his most unabashedly pop record and introduced him to a whole new audience of power pop fans. His first three albums were critically acclaimed successes with moderate sales.
Rick developed the children's music line "Worship Jamz". Worship Jamz was the #1 selling Christian children's music CD for 2 1/2 years and the #1 Worship album in the country for 18 months.
His newest release, Scripture Memory - Pop Symphonies, was three years in the making. "It has been a labor of love for me. It was my desire to make a Scripture Memory record that you would actually enjoy listening to. I decided to do my best to make an excellent record in hopes that you would listen to it multiple times. After repeated listening, the scriptures would be forever lodged in your brain.
Strings, horns, pianos, walls of guitars, stacks of vocals. the kitchen sink approach (hey, it's me), all to coerce you to listen, again and again. Think Beatles with Beach Boy harmonies and Queen/George Harrison guitar solos."
Rick is excellent at doing what he does - making tunes that will stick in your head.
