Michael Roe

Item: The Boat Ashore
Author: Robert Berman / Beth Blinn

The Boat Ashore

(1996)

Reviewed by Robert Berman / Beth Blinn

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Label Innocent MediaThe LighthouseOctober 1996

acoustic rock alternative rock folk rock pop rock

Rob: Mike Roe's ship has definitely come in. Counting his work with the 77's and The Lost Dogs, this makes Roe's third album in the last year, and it's the best of the bunch. The Boat Ashore, for me at least, fulfills the musical promises that were made on his older albums but seemed forgotten on Tom Tom Blues and Safe As Milk. Just when I was starting to wonder if Roe had lost his touch, this album came along to show that he's better than ever.

Beth: Well, Safe As Milk was one of my favorite albums last year, so I wouldn't say that he seemed to have lost his touch. But Tom Tom Blues didn't connect with me, as other 77's albums have in the past. I do agree, however, that The Boat Ashore is the consistently stronger project, both lyrically and musically. Safe As Milk was so diverse that it probably turned a lot of people off. I personally like it when an artist is willing to experiment, but many people prefer a more consistent mood, both in music and lyrics. If that's the case, music lovers everywhere should be all over this project.

Collaborating with 77's drummer Bruce Spencer, Roe has crafted a bunch of moody, melodic tunes that weave an aural spell. While he is no slouch at creating a hard rocking song, pop that is just left-of-center is his true talent, and this album abounds with such pieces.

Rob: This project highlights Roe's guitar skills superbly. There's no other Christian artist, Phil Keaggy included, whom I'd rather hear play electric guitar, and this album shows why on numerous songs. If you liked "Kites Without Strings" or "I Could Laugh," then "Honey Run" and "I Buried My Heart At Bended Knee," among others, will give you ample reason to invest in this album. Lyrics are a major draw for me, and the brutal honesty that characterized older songs like "The Jig Is Up" and "Don't, This Way" is out in full force on this album:

I didn't understand the plan You had for me... I do believe that You truly love me But how do I reciprocate When I know there's nothing good in me?

Beth: Roe's lyrics have always been the biggest drawing card for me. He has a gift for baring his soul in language that illustrates the depth and breadth of human feeling. At the same time, he can infuse some songs with a sharp wit that cuts through the layers of self-righteousness that we as humans are wont to wrap ourselves in-exposing us as the pathetically funny creatures we are when we drift too far from God.

There's less of that wit displayed on this project (except for the "hidden" track, "Tall Trees"), but the soul-baring is still evident, as you pointed out. In "I Buried My Heart At Bended Knee," Roe faces the fear that some people carry around deep inside-the fear that somehow, somewhere, we will cross a line with God from which there is no return:

How many times in the burning heat, If I go down in flames will you rescue me? If I turn back to you on bended knee will you unlock my cage? Will you set me free? Set me free...

Rob: If I was trying to introduce someone to the music of Mike Roe this time last year, it would have been a toss-up between giving them Sticks And Stones and Drowning With Land In Sight. This year, there's no question-The Boat Ashore is the highlight of an impressive career. This album will go the distance instrumentally, musically, and lyrically.