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first heard The Innocence Mission when I was in college, one of my
wonderful roommates turned me on to 1991’s Umbrella. Maybe my attraction
was due to the resemblance to Mazzy Starr; or rather a brighter, more
cheerful yet equally shy cousin to the aforementioned. Now, I find myself
drawn to Befriended on an entirely different level…one of more maturity
and with a deep respect for the peace and spirituality that transcends
through every aspect of it.
Karen Peris’ voice resembles everything she sings of…nature, love,
friendship, romance and heaven. There are certain vocal talents that are
incomparable, entirely unique and mystifying. And hers is one that has not
gone without notice. Featured on Natalie Merchant’s Ophelia and hailed
by such respected artists as Joni Mitchell, the singer/songwriter
represents a delicate and contemplative side of musical expression. Her
songs are sometimes images of nature, trees, birds and flowers, other
times a short, sweet story about friendship or love…often sad but always
hopeful. She’s the kind of singer that you can hear smile even on a
recording.
Her husband and musical partner, Don Peris’ floating guitar work laces
itself amidst her lyrics. It’s intricate and light, managing to create
the perfect backdrop for her tales and pictures. Their work gets more
mature with every album, but doesn’t sound aged, more like comfortable.
Together they sing the most romantic moment, a chorus of “it’s me for
you and you for me” on Look For Me As You Go By, the last song.
There are definitely songs on Befriended worth highlighting. I Never Knew
You From the Sun, which is dedicated to a lost loved one, has probably one
of the most heartbreaking melodies on the album. The lyrics are the most
distinct of any of the ten tracks and the song itself is unbelievably
somber, with minimal guitar work, piano and strings. Yet somehow, the
understated joy that is The Innocence Mission seems right around the
corner.
But perhaps the most intriguing pair of songs on the album, don’t sit
side by side, which is in itself the most interesting aspect of them.
Track four, Beautiful Change is a lighthearted, hopeful song…I’m not
about to translate her meaning into my own because it isn’t the
explanation that haunts me. It’s the connection to track eight, Sweep
Down Early, that fascinates me. They seem almost to be companion pieces,
containing similar phrasing and metaphors…a reference to a “branch of
Easter” and talk of waiting expectantly. Befriended seems to be an
appropriate title as friendship seems to be an underlying theme throughout
all the songs, not just these.
The entire album has that affect on me, like old poetry…reading
Dickinson or Browning. You want to understand and feel it because it hits
you and you’re not sure why. The Innocence Mission creates the perfect
music for a Sunday afternoon, not only because it’s peaceful, relaxing
and quiet but also because it’s meditative and beautiful. They’ve
never failed to intrigue me and set me at ease and they definitely
accomplish both here.
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