Album : Befriended
Label : Badman Recordings www.badmanrecordingco.com
Available : Available Now
Rating :
Review by : Brad Bowman
Track Listing :
1. Tomorrow On the Runway 4:19
2. When Mac Was Swimming 3:48
3. I Never Knew You From the Sun 3:12
4. Beautiful Change 2:57
5. Martha Avenue Love Song 3:44
6. One For Sorrow, Two For Joy 4:04
7. No Storms Come 1:33
8. Sweep Down Early 4:20
9. Walking Around 4:49
10. Look For Me As You Go By 3:22
With The Innocence Mission's sixth release they continue to bless their
listeners with their uniquely pure and comforting songs based on joys and
sorrows, loss and most of all hope. Hope is not just stressed in the poetic
stories but even more so in the soft nurturing vocals of Karen Peris which have
become the trademark sound of the band. Whether singing of happiness or sadness
her vocal style always gives the listener reason to believe and trust, as if
hearing a mother sing to a child.
The band consists of only three members Karen Peris (vocals, guitar, piano, organ), husband Don Peris (guitars, drums, vocals) and Mike Bitts (upright bass). The instrumentation is minimal as each sound created within the songs is essential to telling their stories. Whether it’s a reverb guitar dropping notes in perfect harmony with the vocals, a few piano notes falling off into the background or an organ subtlety creating a mood, everything is for a reason. Their songs have a refreshing, airy feel to them while at the same time never holding anything back.
At one time a more full band sound was found in their music such as on the album “Glow” but in later releases such as “Birds of My Neighborhood” and “Small Planes” maturity is seen with their simplicity in song. “Befriended” refines this delicate folk/pop style even more. One of the highlights of their music are the lyrics written by Karen who is so visually descriptive in her words that you often feel as if you are walking with her through the stories.
The album starts with the touching "Tomorrow On the Runway" a beautiful dance between Don's light guitar picking and the lead vocals of his wife, this song more than any other on the disc shows the dynamic vocal range she has from hushed to piercing beauty as she sings "Did you leave the darkness without me? You're always miles ahead and you're standing in tomorrow on the runway". This song is available at either of the links above for listening and gives you a true feel of what The Innocence Mission is all about. "When Mac Was Swimming" has a dreamy light jazz feel built upon a sharply picked electric guitar and tambourine as the sole percussion. The hope so evident in their music and lives is expressed in the verse "Nobody knows darling, nobody knows how they are loved, don't worry, my darling the sun is coming up". Also included is one of my favorite lines on the disc stressing the love of life so poetically "Let's get up early now, dive clear into the day, let's get out of the car with open arms".
"I Never Knew You From the Sun" is the most somber track here about the loss of a loved one. The pure storytelling is refreshing when you hear "Martha Avenue Love Song" a story about the simple joys of walking down a winter street with the one you love, this is truly The Innocence Mission's bread and butter, simplicity full of joy. Other highlights on the disc include "One For Sorrow, Two For Joy" a song about the unequivocal acceptance of someone who can't accept himself. It's quite touching built around delicately picked acoustic and electric guitars and synthesizer. One of the most upbeat tracks on the album is "Walking Around" a song about wanting to leave life's sorrows behind when it states "Rain happens into my room at night, when there is so much time to miss you...walking around, you know I've had enough of this trouble following me high and low. Now it can go." The final cut off the disc is a slow dance where we hear husband and wife joyfully singing together "It's me for you and you for me".
Overall another beautiful album from The Innocence Mission where you can't help but feel the joy of the band members as they deliver their songs, it's infectious. The bright but laidback style is perfect whether you seek solace or just need that little bit extra encouragement to feel good about life. The listener is reminded that it's the simple things in life that matter and bring the most joy.
Highly recommended!
Brad Bowman