There simply is no justice in this world. This is not a foreign concept to most of us, but allow an illustration: Sheryl Crow sells millions of records, is a radio staple, and seemingly appears on TV quite often. Yet Over the Rhine, with a superior vocal presence in Karin Bergquist, languishes in small clubs, enjoyed by a select few who have the opportunity to hear her perform with her longtime partner in crime, Linford Detweiler.
Drunkard's Prayer is a much more intimate project for OtR. Recorded in their living room, Karin and Linford seem to be a little more laid back, perhaps more at peace on this record than on Ohio. This record is more of a lazy Sunday afternoon, falling asleep on the couch record, with less strife. Several songs here celebrate the joy of marriage, and the fight to honor that commitment.
"Born" would be the single in an ideal world. The combination of Bergquist's vocals and Detweiler's piano elevate this song above the others, if ever so slightly. "I Want You to Be My Love" could be a hit if the aforementioned Crow decided to cover it on her next project. "Bluer" is carried by Bergquist's sultry slide up and down the vocal ranges, down into almost a lisp that she seemingly has trademarked. This last is only helped by Byron House's presence on upright bass guitar.
"Hush Now (Stella's Tarantella)" could be the next hit to a romantic movie soundtrack. It effortlessly paints a picture of two people in love, temporarily setting aside their problems, and just enjoying the moment--and each other.
Someday, an enterprising producer will realize there is a lot of money to be made by having this group perform an album of Broadway standards. "My Funny Valentine" closes the project, taking a song performed thousands of times, and adding just a little extra to it.
Drunkard's Prayer grows on the listener with repeated play, insinuating itself into your subconscious. You won't realize it until you find yourself singing a song from it days later. While it does not grab you immediately like Ohio or Good Dog Bad Dog, for example, it will establish a place in your regular rotation.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis August 2005Reviewed by Peter VenessOver eleven not so short vignettes American alt-country outfit Over The Rhine delve with sincerity and authority in to issues of faith, addiction and love. They have cultivated rich success in Europe but the band have remained something of an anomaly in their homeland, playing occasional folk festivals and small clubs rather than the theatres they play for on the continent. Singer Karin Bergquist…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Steve StockmanThat Drunkard's Prayer is a slow-burn, smouldering beautiful thing you can take as read--it is Over the Rhine, for goodness sake! Here they keep with the organic nature of the utterly classic Ohio album and also hanker back to the stripped-back, do-it-in-your-living-room, sound of Good Dog Bad Dog. And there are the usual tasteful traits: wonderful long lists of rhyming, depth charge one liners,…Similar sounding releases
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2005Rosie ThomasIf Songs Could Be Held
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2004OllabelleOllabelle
2003Emmylou HarrisStumble Into GraceMore from Over the Rhine
1992Patience
2001Films for Radio
2003Ohio
2002The Cutting Room Floor
1999Amateur Shortwave Radio
1996The Darkest Night of the Year
