When I first picked up the latest release from Caedmon's Call, Long Line of Leavers, my mind automatically skipped to thoughts of liver and onions, which is not a meal that I usually enjoy. Thankfully, however, Long Line of Leavers is a pleasant album on the whole.
I do have a few complaints, though. First of all, the thirteen songs wander through a fairly wide range of styles, meandering from pop to folk to lounge to a John Michael Talbot cover. This is a weakness in my book, for Caedmon's Call has yet to fully develop and enrich their original acoustic-folk sound. Secondly, there is a rawness that creeps into Derek Webb's voice every now and then which certainly needs to be exploited more. This vocal quality, which translates into evocative passion and urgency, is most notable in "What You Want," the standout track on the album. For the majority of the album, though, Webb's singing is fairly subdued; this is disappointing, for passion in Christendom these days is always a rare and wonderful thing. It's also a pity that Danielle Young only sings on two songs, "Masquerade" and "Piece of Glass," for her voice has matured into a lovely smokiness that should be heard more.
Lyrically, the album covers everything from loneliness, love, creation, and Webb's grandmother and her fondness for dancing. Aaron Tate and Webb have always had a way with words, a standout quality among the bland homogeneity of most CCM lyrics.
One of the attractions of Caedmon's Call has always been their organic, hometown feel, a quality which has tended to distance them from the slickness of CCM's sound. And while Long Line of Leavers preserves that vintage earthiness, Caedmon's Call should get on that tour bus of theirs and get out of Nashville; the production by Monroe Jones (Third Day, Chris Rice, Margaret Becker) and Ed Cash (Bebo Norman) is almost a little too smooth. Despite that, Long Line of Leavers should satisfy fans and win a few more.
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Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksWith the very first song on Long Line of Leavers the characteristic Caedmon's Call we've all come to love is tossed out the window. If you listened closely to their last album, Forty Acres, you heard the beginning of a band's refusal to be classified by one narrow genre. With Long Line of Leavers, that rebellion is underway. 'The Only One' starts with haunting electric guitar and keyboards, only…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinLong Line of Leavers finds Caedmon's Call both expanding their sound and resting on the laurels of past accomplishment. Regarding the former, the Caedmon clan have gratefully experimented a bit more with a variety of styles, including the funky R&B on the opening track, "The Only One," and the retro-lounge-folk of the Danielle Young lead vocal track "Masquerade," both of which serve as welcome…Similar sounding releases
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