Reviewed by Peter Bate

The Story Of Bud And Irma Akendorf (the album's subtitle) signals 20 years of Daniel Amos with typical Terry Taylor eclecticism. Musically harder edged than the songwriter's enjoyable meanderings with The Lost Dogs, 'Songs Of The Heart' retains the Dog's eccentricity. Humour and painful irony mix in this reliving of the Akendorf's struggle with life and faith. The tale begins with Bud's youthful yearnings for Irma in "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" - high octane ballad from the top drawer. Scenes then quickly flit as the now retired couple visit a dubious faith healer (where Bud meets Jesus!) and a mysterious stranger at an organ bar. Amidst the bizarre storyline lie some poignant comments on the trappings of cultural Christianity, while Bud's last thoughts before death are stirring. Not likely to sell by the bucket load but well worth a listen, if only for the oddball Himalayan flute introduction to "Our Night To Howl, Time To Go Dancing".

Also reviewed in CR40:
'Songs Of The Heart' can best be described as another concept album purporting to be the story of Bud and Irma Akendorf and various encounters/discussions which take place. Recorded in 1995, lyrically and musically this is more akin to the 'Alarma Chronicles' than other '90s recordings with plenty of quirky Jerry Chamberlain guitar and those brilliant vocal harmonies lo keep every fan happy. There's also the opportunity to spend plenty of time pondering what Taylor is getting at! Oblique, searching, interesting, challenging and creative. Daniel Amos continues to deliver the most enigmatic music in Christendom and in Terry Taylor they possess one of the finest songwriters. The blink-and-you-miss-it "Turn This Off" and the wonderful "Sins Of The Fathers" are fine examples of an on form DA. If Terry Taylor was ever asked to write a Bond theme it would sound like "Loveland". Finally, only Taylor could pen a song with the title "Donna Nietche And Her Super Race Of Kick Boxing Uber Parrots". Surely the wackiest title ever for a song by a Christian artist, unless you know better!
8
Mike Rimmer