Customer Reviews

Befriended

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although this cd from The Innocence Mission is not aggressive and masterfully produced as Glow it is very good in its own right. A much quieter cd than Glow- it is probably the most relaxing cd I own. A word of caution: do NOT play this cd while driving but DO play this cd if you want close your eyes and be completely relaxed for a half hour. Also, this cd sounds much better on very high end systems as the arrangements are so subtle that it takes a good stereo to really appreciate them. I recommend this cd to anyone looking for an interesting and unique sound as it is very quiet and refined but certainly not boring which is quite an accomplishment.

I love music. The Joshua Tree is my favorite album (along with a billion other people). Befriended is my second favorite.

I'm a little embarassed to admit this, but I've never listened to this album the whole way through and managed to stay composed. I cry everytime and believe me, that says much more about the music than it does me. One For Sorrow, Two For Joy is one of the most heartbreaking songs ever, and yet it does manage to express this incredible joy. Beautiful Change, When Mac Was Swimming, and I Never Knew You From the Sun are some other favorites, but it's hard to pick when the whole album is so great. If you're like me, you like an album where you never skip a song and this album is like that for me.

The group's approach is pretty simple. Gentle melodies with subtly breathtaking arrangements. In regards to the lyrical themes, the band's name begins to make perfect sense. The songs are all about friendship, love, loss...basically life told through a gentle song. I was making a lot of edgy rock music when I first got this album and it was a revelation to me: pain and happiness expressed with a quiet, honest voice is more powerful than loud, angry guitars. The Innocence Mission, what a concept.

There was a strong whiff of '60s folk music in the air as I sat listening to the sweet singing of Karen Peris and her guitar strumming plus Don Peris' guitar playing. I thought of Peter Paul & Mary (sans harmonies) or Fairport Convention. There's also a resemblance to more modern folkies like Natalie Merchant in Karen's vocals, but there seems to be an almost intentional feeling of looking backwards on Befriended, as with the hint of Bacharach on "When Mac Was Swimming," or the old-timey piano on "Look For Me As You Go By." However you want to characterize it, this is very nice music. It's not the kind of listening experience that hits you over the head, more like drifting on a boat on a still lake on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

The arrangements on Befriended are fairly sparse and open, allowing Karen's voice and Don's guitar to remain out front. And as much as I've emphasized her singing, his guitar plays an important role too. The luminous, shimmery solo he lays down on "Walking Around" is just one delightful example. Don sings backing vocals on occasion too - just a ghost of a male voice in the wings. Mike Bitts' bass is also a steady and effective presence.

The members of The Innocence Mission have been together now since the late '80s. The risk of stagnation after such a length of time is relatively great, but Befriended still sounds fresh and alive. It's one of the better things I've heard this year.

I've been a fan of the Innocence Mission since Karen Peris first floated her vocals over a couple of synthesizer riffs on the first album. With Befriended, IM shows that they've really matured as a band without losing what was great about them before -- a unique vocal sound and touching lyrics.

Strangely, I think the album is equally suited to a low-key hipster coctail party and a baby's room. It's just that kind of an album -- soft and real and interesting.

It's been four years since The Innocence Missions last cd "Birds of My Neighborhood" (the ever generous band did offer up the glorious 'Small Planes" a compliations of b-sides and "leftovers" a couple of years back). "Birds" solidified the bands sound -- stripped down production, lyrics and voice only, with rich melodies and harmonies

Enter "Befriended", IM's happy ever after follow up to "Birds" somber document of trying to conceive a child. Well the baby is born and it seems Ms. Peris uses this disc to celebrate and give thanks. IM's sound has never been more intact -- less is indeed more and Ms. Peris' fagile beauty of a voice is supported by sublime arrangements of mostly piano and guitar and vocal harmonies.

Track 1 -- vintage IM -- could be right at home on "Glow" or "Birds" -- this is THE SOUND.

Track 2 -- Only the second track and it's this albums best. A lullaby to her son is both heartbreaking and joyful, Ms. Peris has never used her voice or lyrics to greater effect. "Nobody knows how they are loved. Don't worry, my darling, the sun's coming up."

Track 3 -- A tribute to a departed loved one?

Track 4 -- Strong guitar (always!) and minimal percussion support this song of redemption and change -- hopeful and inspiring "At any time I could change, any day, a beautiful change."

Track 5 -- beautiful lyrical imagery using color "...when the pink and green arrive." a technique that Peris has used to great effect in the past. ie "Bright as Yellow"

Track 6 -- a song of hope and support for a troubled brother or so the song seems to imply "Though we don't know much at all, stand ever firmly, love."

Track 7 -- The band must really like this one as it has been previously released on the bands benefit cd "Christ is My Hope."

Track 8 -- wistful and gorgeous. Waiting for friends and spring. another song infused with hope, longing and desire.

Track 9 -- Probably the most upbeat arrangment on the disc

Track 10 -- a hymnlike closing with the killer lyric "Don't see me only as I am but see me how I long to be."

So the IM go on without major label support which seems the trend these days if an artist wants to release something of relavance -- just check out Natalie Merchants new release to see what I speak of. This cd is a gift and a blessing to all who find it. thank you IM.

This music is so beautiful it will make you want to cry...and yet it isn't at all depressing. It's melancholy at worst, and positively uplifting at its best. The lead vocalist has this way of pulling notes quickly up from lower octaves in such a way as to produce goosebumps.

I hadn't heard of this group before, I listened to a couple sample tracks because they were listed as an "If you like " " then you'll love the Innocence Mission..." I love that about Amazon, I constantly get turned on to groups I never would have been able to find 5 years ago. Discovering this jewel has been worth the wait.

This album is nearly perfect. I own Glow and also their first album, Innocence Mission. I love Glow and am not as crazy about their self-titled debut. This is more like Glow, but sparser and slightly more melancholy. If you like thoughtful, beautiful music to join you like a friend, then Befriended is for you.

This CD should only be puchased by music afficionados who are willing to have their hearts torn open by music that is both incredibly intimate yet transcendant, seemingly simple yet so very complex. Perfect>

Rarely that you'll encounter an album worth listening from start to finish. This is one CD you shouldn't miss. No matter what music style you prefer. It's simply amazing. Best tracks: When Mac was Swimming (well-crafted) and One for sorrow, two for joy.

Great music that won't bog you down, but will enlighten your spirit.