Perhaps one of the styles music has beaten to death during the 90's, both secular, and Christian, is the whole acoustic thing. And since the arrival of Jars of Clay on the scene in 1995, no Christian band that features acoustic guitar has been able to escape being compared to Jars.
However, in Caedmon's Call we find a band that not only does acoustic music, they do it in a refreshing and creative way that has yet to be heard in the Christian market. The vocal harmonies are tight, the songwriting is strong, and all the instruments are real. No sight of drum loops here, or any comparisons to Jars. It's pretty unique stuff.
For those who are not already familiar with Caedmon's Call, they hail from Houston, Texas, and feature three lead singers, Cliff Young, Derek Webb, and Danielle Glenn. They have received national attention for their two independently released albums (My Calm, Your Storm in 1994, and Just Don't Want Coffee in 1995), as well as a feature in the DiG section of TLeM.
For those who are familiar with those indie releases, you will recognize half of the album, which contains three songs from each. It also features six totally new tracks for this major label release.
Opening with the new song, "Lead Of Love," Caedmon's Call quickly establishes their hooks and harmony vocals in an extremely catchy song. "Close Of Autumn," a previously recorded track, is re-done here slightly embellished without losing the tenderness and simplicity of the original. "Not The Land" is the only straight-ahead rocker on the disc, while "This World" contains the same qualities as "Close Of Autumn"-tender vocals and extreme simplicity in a well produced setting. "Bus Driver" makes for a fun listen, utilizing any number of unusual instruments, including a "saloon-style" piano. "Standing Up For Nothing" is yet another tender ballad.
The second half of the disc doesn't lack much either. "Stupid Kid" utilizes some great sounding keyboards, reminiscent of late 60's music, while songs like "Hope To Carry On," "Not Enough," and "Coming Home" keep up the tempo of the album, with the ballads "I Just Don't Want Coffee" and "Center Aisle" interspersed in between. Unlike the other ballads though, these both clock in at nearly six minutes a piece, and a case could be made for both of them to be a minute or two shorter.
Producer Don McCollister has taken this bunch of talented musicians, and guided them to making an album that blows away their previous efforts. The polish merely gets a little brighter for these Texans, who have recorded a great album, and hopefully one that doesn't get lost in the mix of new albums coming out this spring.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse June 1997Reviewed by Robert BermanChristian music in the mid-nineties has been afflicted by a distressing decrease in the widespread availability of artists in the acoustic singer-songwriter tradition. With the death of Mark Heard, the closing of the Storyville label, and the relative silence of established artists like Rich Mullins, Bob Bennett, Billy Crockett, and Randy Stonehill, these have not been good years to find major…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Shari LloydCaedmon's Call has finally signed a distribution deal after five years on the college circuit and two independent releases. Their latest release encompasses the entire range of the "college" sound from the light acoustic "Lead of Love," a melodic song that reminds me of Jars of Clay, the heavier "Not the Land," which echoes the electric guitar ballads of Dryve, to "Bus Driver," a catchy,…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Chris ParksAfter the buzz about this group on (the Usenet newsgroup) rec.music.christian, I was prepared to be blown away by this album. I wasn't. This is not to say that I dislike their work. There is a nice vocal variety (although I don't think they are taking full enough advantage of Danielle Glenn's voice) and on some they have the alternative sound down pretty solidly. Aaron Tate and Derek Webb write…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Jessica Aguilar WalkerThere is a point we all come to when we break free from all the ideals that youth group sheltered us with and we move on to become an adult of responsible faith. This is exactly what the group Caedmon's Call deals with in their latest self-titled release, but they do so frequently without cleverness. Few songs met the challenge of connecting their lyrical and musical concepts, instead juxtaposing…Similar sounding releases
2003Jars of ClayWho We Are Instead
2004Jason HarwellAlive in the Fall
2000FFHFound a Place
2001Andrew PetersonClear to Venus
2000PassionThe Road to One Day
2000The JayhawksSmileMore from Caedmon's Call
2004Share the Well
2004Chronicles
2000Long Line of Leavers
199940 Acres
2003Back Home
1997Intimate Portrait
