STYLE: Roots/Acoustic RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 6112-5966 LABEL: Warner Alliance 6463 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
The next time one of those knock-the-cosy-sub-culture Christians sounds off to you about the stifling insularity of Nashville-run CCM, cite to him the case of Caedmon's Call. For in some ways this superlative band from Houston are America's Delirious?. No, they don't pay guitar-driven hook rock, a more delicate folk roots/rock synthesis is Caedmon's Call's direction. But, like Delirious?, this band have built up their huge US support base themselves, away from big record company help, touring around and releasing recordings privately that sold like the proverbial hot cakes. So when they finally went with a proper record company, the well-oiled Warner Bros marketing machine was able to ensure Caedmon's Call debuted at number one in the US CCM charts. It's an album worth its huge American success. Cliff Young has a memorable, husky emotive voice, not dissimilar to Jars Of Clay's lead man; their second lead Danielle Glenn has equally impressive pipes that convey a haunting vulnerability; the songs here are full of strong melodic hooks; their lyrics make spiritual points with considerable subtlety so that non-Christians as well as believers can relate to their haunting imagery; and the subtle blend of acoustic settings is beautifully caught by top engineer/producer Don McCollister. A fine, mature album you'll play for years to come.
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Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 20:50 on Aug 5 2014
First full mainstream debut in late March 1997 without ccm
listener disappointment. I love the band's approach to
music style and harmony.
I love the lyrics to starter "Lead of Love", lead vocalist
Cliff Young has that nice folksy vocal, pleasing to the ear.
Did Rich Mullins have
the opportunity to hear the band's cover of " Hope To
Carry On", the name of Jesus is heard! Extra bgvs are added
for "Close of Autumn" Daniell on lead.
Member Derek Webb belts out his self penned
"Not The Land". I love "This World".
Great talent on Tack Piano by Brandon Bush on
"Bus Driver" another Derek Webb composition,
great song wtg Derek.
The 6 minute Ep song from '95 "I Just Don't Want
Coffee", another top notch Derek Webb song.
Years later ccm artist Chris Rice would entertain us with
another "coffee" song.
Deep cut-to-the-bone lyrics on Derek Webb's "Center Aisle";
life is so fragile, let us not take it
for granted. Let us "THANK GOD".
CD closer "Coming Home" has hit written all over it.
I totally love it, wtg all. We are headed for home,
but we still got so very far to go. God Bless, Don
First full mainstream debut in late March 1997 without ccm listener disappointment. I love the band's approach to music style and harmony.
I love the lyrics to starter "Lead of Love", lead vocalist Cliff Young has that nice folksy vocal, pleasing to the ear. Did Rich Mullins have
the opportunity to hear the band's cover of " Hope To
Carry On", the name of Jesus is heard! Extra bgvs are added for "Close of Autumn" Daniell on lead.
Member Derek Webb belts out his self penned
"Not The Land". I love "This World".
Great talent on Tack Piano by Brandon Bush on
"Bus Driver" another Derek Webb composition,
great song wtg Derek.
The 6 minute Ep song from '95 "I Just Don't Want
Coffee", another top notch Derek Webb song.
Years later ccm artist Chris Rice would entertain us with another "coffee" song.
Deep cut-to-the-bone lyrics on Derek Webb's "Center Aisle"; life is so fragile, let us not take it
for granted. Let us "THANK GOD".
CD closer "Coming Home" has hit written all over it.
I totally love it, wtg all. We are headed for home,
but we still got so very far to go. God Bless, Don