The Choir

Item: O How the Mighty Have Fallen
Author: Nate Bailey

O How the Mighty Have Fallen

(2005)

Reviewed by Nate Bailey

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Label Galaxy 21 MusicDecapolisJune 2005

alternative rock dream pop

I guess because The Choir is my all-time favorite band, I come to this review with some bias. Though biased I may be, I wouldn't want anyone reading this to think I have a personal motive for provoking someone to check out The Choir for the first time. What I do want, is to reach out to the long-time fan who's wondering, is "O How the Mighty Have Fallen" worth my time?

I can say right off the bat, yes. Yes it is. It's hard to imagine that after so many years and a long list of releases, that the band can still create something which has the same power over me as when I heard their music for the first time. Though they rarely play out (Cornerstone is usually it) the band gets together to write and record every few years. All I can say is thank you. I understand you guy's have limitations on your time, but thank you for recognizing the fact that you still have untapped potential that needs to be heard.

Their 2000 release "Flap your Wings" was good, but "O How the Mighty Have Fallen" is something very special. Having nominated Marc Byrd (of The Common Children) to officially become a full-fledged member of the band (guitar) instead of just the long-term stand-in he's been for several years now, they turned to their "newest" member to produce (literally). And produce he did.

The Choir have always had a talent for capturing my moods, my thoughts, my dreams and putting it to music. Having a predominantly more solemn feel then their other work, they haven't created something haunting, but hopeful. Sure, you might not be skipping in sunshine right now, but keep your head up and keep walking towards the light step by step.

Songs like "To Rescue Me" are reassuring, communicating that while it may be slow-going just now, the best is yet to come. "Fine Fun Time" brings to mind early Choir material, capturing the movement of their "Youth Choir" days. My favorite track has to be "How I Wish I Knew" an acoustic ballad that quickly took it's place in the list of my favorite Choir songs with lines like "...It's a cruel thing your doing, depriving my soul of your smile..."

Ok, so maybe I DO want to challenge someone who hasn't heard The Choir to go and get this. I know from personal experience that when you first sample a band that has a whole shelf of releases under their belt, you can be intimidated as to where to get started. I can say without reservation that "O How the Mighty Have Fallen" has all the makings of a classic. Hopefully this won't put the master finishing stroke on The Choir's career; hopefully this is just the beginning of many more masterpieces to come.