What is Silers Bald? Okay, I cheated, since I "grew up" with these guys (and gal Laura Story) from my hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. Grabbing the liner notes of their first project, Climbing (1997), Silers Bald is both a ridge on the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee and "a search for something greater than ourselves...". I call this band today's version of Peter, Paul and Mary, or better yet, a Southeastern U.S. version of Caedmon's Call, the band's clear-cut influence. Silers Bald performs very well in church, praise and worship, and secular settings, and its debut self-titled national release is excellent.
My hometown band has, after three successful regionally-distributed recordings, released its debut self-titled nationally-distributed project, a compilation of new recordings culled from Climbing, "Nothing Else Beside" and new songs. It's finely-crafted contemporary Christian music. You'll like the kick-off praise and worship song, "Got Me Smiling," up-tempo, setting the pace for this project.
Along with Caedmon's Call, the band is influenced by the late Rich Mullins. You can hear a dandy version of "Creed" (including the very vital hammer dulcimer!) here. There's another cover song, a rockin' version of U2's "When Love Comes to Town." Okay, you've got the gist of Silers Bald. Here's the rest.
There are beautifully reflective songs, specifically "Slow Me Down," "Starry Host," "Hymn," "Grace," "Nothing Else Beside," "Getting Back," and "Masquerade" (the last is voice and piano). What I like very much is that the band includes specific musings (often pointing to specific Bible verses) regarding each song in the liner notes. An old favorite, "Getting Back," and the incredibly lovely "Grace," are about the grace of God, and "Hymn" is about God's faithfulness. Read the liner notes for more. Each of these songs is worth the price of admission.
"Playing in the Creek" is Silers Bald's signature song, and it deserves a parenthetical note of its own. It's a reflection on our childhood, with its joys and peace (Matthew 11:28-30). I love the updated version, originally from "Climbing." Those of us who know Silers Bald well will yell "Get outta that creek, boy!" as was included as a tag-line on the original recording.
The only weak moment of this recording is "Thirst," with a rough arrangement. It simply sounds a bit disjointed, with what seems to be a missing "middle-eight." I can't quite put my finger on it, but it could have been better.
I'm very pleased with this release from Silers Bald and heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys reflective and fun music in the line of Caedmon's Call and Rich Mullins. It's well worth the listen!
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Israel KlossColumbia, South Carolina. Home of Hootie and the Blowfish, the Confederate flag and Silers Bald. Granted, only two of the three are well known outside South Carolina, but after four years of paying their dues in "The Palmetto State," Silers Bald has achieved national distribution. Six musicians make up Silers Bald. The three original band members are from the University of South Carolina where…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Janet FriesenSilers Bald is the name of a ridge along the Appalachian trail. Rising up from the valleys around them, these mountains offer spectacular vistas to those willing to take the journey to the heights. The ridges afford the chance to rest and view the magnificence of God's creation. Silers Bald, the band, takes its cue from its namesake and attempts to give its listeners an amazing view, that of the…
