Terry Scott Taylor. Mike Roe. Derri Daugherty. Steve Hindalong and Phil Madeira chipping in on various instruments. Knowledgeable listeners of Christian music would expect quite a bit from a lineup like that. This group of legendary musicians and songwriters delivers just that on the latest release from the Lost Dogs, Nazarene Crying Towel.
Awesome in its simplicity, this album offers a blueprint of how Americana style music should be done. The instrumentation is complimentary, rather than overpowering. The singers do just that, sing, without straining, without imitating today's styles and trends, without studio tricks. Taylor, Roe, and Daugherty all contribute songs, sing, and play well, adding up a combination not unlike the Traveling Wilburys, or Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
"Moses in the Desert" faces the personal struggles of sin and confrontation. "There You Are" depicts God waiting for us to stop running from Him:
I've been told You're known to say a word
A thing or two about love that never doubts
I'm just know-it-all
Still I blow it all
Need to give in to the love I've lived without.
"Be My Hiding Place" is a modern hymn about God's help and shelter. "Cry Out Lord" points out that God is the only way to navigate through life's storms. "Crushing Hand" contrasts God's power with His gentleness. "Home Again" offers hope to those who have wandered.
Interestingly, none of these songs say anything new, other than the occasional turn of phrase. They simply and clearly show humans as they are, inevitably failing without the grace and mercy of God. Nazarene Crying Towel points out the truths that we all know, not in an overbearing or holier-than-thou way, but with a kind, loving spirit that characterizes the God we all hope to see one day. Along with Derek Webb's She Can and Must Go Free, two of my Top Ten spots for 2003 are now spoken for.
5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis June 2003Reviewed by Nate BaileyThe Lost Dogs feature members from The Choir, The 77's, and The Swirling Eddies. They have been together since 1992 and released several albums. This release is with BEC recordings. I've never traditionally been all that interested in the Lost Dogs except to follow along with what they were doing because of their members. However, maybe it's because my musical taste has grown or maybe they are…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Chris MacIntoshWonderful, brilliant, magnificent, superb! I think that I like this album. Nazarene Crying Towel is the latest offering from one of the best bands around today. Taylor, Roe & Daugherty have created a sonic masterpiece that is without a doubt the best album this band has ever done. Along for the ride this time out are: Tim Chandler on bass, Dennis Holt on drums, Steve Hindalong on percussion and…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Bert GanglOnly the daftest of critics could fail to notice what seems to be the intrinsically short half-life of most so-called supergroups. Eric Clapton's Cream put out only three proper projects during its two-year tenure, while Led Zep guitar wiz Jimmy Page and Bad Company front man Paul Rodgers managed only two releases under their Firm moniker before pulling up stakes in 1986. And who knows how many…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Noel LloydThe superstar trio of Derri Daugherty, Mike Roe, and Terry Taylor have once again assumed their folkster alter egos and have joined forces in their ultimate long-running side project, The Lost Dogs. This time around, the threesome has contributed a gem in the poignant, mellifluous album, Nazarene Crying Towel. Filled with simple, meditative lyrics, this record explores the timeless themes of the…Similar sounding releases
2005Bill MalloneeFriendly Fire
2003Jars of ClayWho We Are Instead
2005Martyn JosephDeep Blue
2001Red House PaintersOld Ramon
2004Allison MoorerThe Duel
2003Andrew OsengaPhotographsMore from Lost Dogs
2003Via Chicago (Video)
2001Real Men Cry
2004Mutt
1996Green Room Serenade, Part One
1993Little Red Riding Hood
1999Gift Horse
