Customer Reviews

Drunkard's Prayer

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Drunkard's Prayer," the latest release from Over the Rhine, reflects the attempt to simplify their lives and strengthen their relationship. Bergquist and Detweiler dropped everything during their "Ohio" tour to rest and "reinvent our own relationship" as Detweiler revealed in an interview. The result is this CD. "Drunkard's Prayer" strips everything down-melodies, lyrics and production.

Most noticeable are the simpler melodies. Early Over the Rhine produced some funky sounds, but Drunkard's Prayer arranges the notes in an easy fashion, making for choruses that the listener will hum with absent-mindedness. "Looking Forward" and "I Want You To Be My Love" exemplify the unadorned sound found in this project.

Simpler lyrics are also found in Drunkard's Prayer. Detweiler's writing usually contains word play and metaphors, but they are less obvious here. The word play is still there; it just relies upon more common themes. Instead of "what a beautiful piece of heartache this has all turned out to be" it is "I cry just a little bit, just a little bit, everyday." Instead of "I drink you `cause it's easy to see it's mostly myself that's killing me" we get "You're my water, You're my wine, You're my whiskey from time to time."

Production was also toned down for "Drunkard's Prayer." Instead of a studio, Detweiler and Bergquist recorded their songs for this CD in their living room. The result is a quiet evening at home, a stretching in front of the fire, a sitting on the back porch.

Is "simpler" better or worse? Probably neither; it may just be a reflection of where these two people are at in their lives right now.

This is the first "Over the Rhine," cd I've heard, and it's a pleasant surprise. The genres are mixed, and you get a little country, a little Kurt Weil cabaret, a little folk, some jazzy sort of pop, and a lot of music. It's a collection that got me in its cumulative effect. The first track had me wondering if I hadn't made a mistake, and if the disc wasn't going to put me right to sleep. Well, I didn't nod off, and the disc grew on me. It's a mellow listen, with good musicianship and lyrics, and well worth the purchase.

In the Fall of 2003, Over the Rhine was touring behind the critically acclaimed "Ohio" album, and out of the blue the national tour was canceled not even midway through it. No explanation was given, and there was rampant speculation on the band's forum boards. Only much later did Karen Bergquist and Linford Detweiler, the husband-and-wife team behind OtR, admit that the tour was canceled due to relationship issues.

"Drunkard's Prayer" (11 tracks, 51 min.) is the "catharsis" album of the breakdown-and subsequent restrengthening-of their relationship. The album is deeping personal, almost shockingly so, I cannot recall off the top of my head another such album (although I'm sure there are others). This is the first OtR album whose songs are all credited to "Bergquist/Detweiler" so it's hard to tell who wrote what lyrics. Musically, this is a return to the sound of the "Good Dog Bad Dog" era (1996), with sparse instrumentation: mostly piano and accoustic guitar, although at times augmented by drums and bass. My favorite tracks include "Born" (the original intended title for the album, changed at the last minute), "Spark", "Lookin' Forward", and "Who Will Guard the Door". The album closes with a nice cover of "My Funny Valentine". Karen's voice has never better sounded than on this album. She's truly a "best kept secret" in today's music scene.

As a fan since the early days (OtR formed in 1989), it remains fascinating to watch the history of OtR unfold. Counting compilations and live albums, "Drunkard's Prayer" is the band's 12th album and quite a nice addition to the OtR catalogue. A quiet album that should be played loud. For OtR's most adventurous (and, in my opinion, best) album, check out 2001's "Films for Radio" album.

Karin Bergquist has a remarkably elegant voice with a beautiful tone. Her soothing and emotive vocals are what carry this album. You need only sparse instrumentation to accentuate a voice as rich as Karin's, and on Drunkard's Prayer, Over the Rhine capably demonstrates that sometimes less is more. These are plaintive tunes, gently yet earnestly performed, with an overriding sense of melancholy.

Over the Rhine, a husband and wife duo, tells us in the liner notes about how this disc came to be, and that message helps the listener to more fully appreciate the very personal nature of these songs. However, as is so often the case, as the artist bares it all, the rest of us can find something that resonates in our own lives as well. This is is an undeniably romantic album, soft and sincere, sure to establish a comfortable and warm ambiance when it's played. I'm sure Over the Rhine intended it that way, having recorded all these tracks in their living room.

This is my second OTR album - I bought Ohio a couple of years ago and love that album also. Karin and Linford have a gift for music, and I hope they will always be able make beautiful music together.

One of my pet peeves about the entertainment industry is their proclivity to celebrate and market the relatively unchallenging act of `falling in love'. While I enjoyed falling in love as much as the next guy, I only plan to do that once, and am really interested in art that inspires me to grow in love. Art should ennoble and inspire to the difficult and beautiful. To this end OTR has applied their well established poetic and lyrical gifts toward an album about making it work, rediscovering the person who has shared your bed for years, vesting a long time love with the same creative passion as when it began. Karin and Linford tell a very honest, intimate and personal story of their road of marital reclamation that makes me want to work hard, be creative and find the beauty in my own...

You are my water,
You are my wine,
You are my whisky,
From time to time

The first half of the CD (particularly the first 3 songs) is a little stronger than the second but as a whole it is well worth the purchase.

For those seeking Beauty, Sincerity and Meaning in their Music, here's one you must have in the music library. My God, this is Something. It's so great and gets even better and more appreciated with repeated listenings. The first three songs are better than most albums in their entirety. Recorded in Lindford and Karin's living room, this is so intimate, it makes me feel like I am a welcomed guest on the sofa in that living room, sipping a glass of wine and listening to them play just for me...and that is a feeling that is seldom if ever evoked by Music for me. This is a winner, folks. Trust me and buy it right now. And make sure to read the interview of Karin and Linford in the liner notes--two amazing souls. Favorite songs: "I Want You To Be My Love," "Born," "Drunkard's Prayer," "Blue," "Spark," "Lookin' Forward," and "Firefly."
Soar!

This is a great CD to listen to on a rainy summer night, sitting on the front porch with a bottle of wine. Warm, homey, sexy, and totally relaxing.

They do it again. Drunkard's Prayer is a strong mix of the different American music genres (gospel, soul, country, jazz, blues) and a bit of nostalgia. This is their best album after they released Good Dog Bad Dog back in the nineties. It's very basic, but that seems to be their strength. Beautifully recorded songs. Especially Born, Spark and Hush Now (Stella's Tarantella) are outstanding. The arrangements are mostly sober. Just a guitar, a piano and sometimes an upright bass or saxophone. Lyrically Drunkard's Prayer ranks among their best albums as well, probably because the subject matter is so close to their own lives. The album is full of intimacy and honesty. Films for Radio was a bit of a disappointment after Good Dog Bad Dog, but after that they really got their act back together. You can't miss buying this album. *****

Over the Rhine delivers a powerful and soothing set of tunes designed for a rickety cabin porch high in the mountains. Kick back in a wooden rocker, pour some whiskey and disappear. This husband/wife team is in no hurry to take the listener anywhere other than where you want to go. The soft guitars, mournful piano and atmospheric voice of Karin Bergquist are in near perfect synch for a meditative journey. Highlights include the sorrowful "Born" and "Drunkard's Prayer" as well as "Little Did I Know", a breath-taking, tear-stained lament over a near broken heart. Only misfire: "Hush Now" is a disjointed effort which nearly disrupts the exquisite flow and pacing of this otherwise marvelous set. Highly recommended.

A captivating album. Over the Rhine's creamy vocalist, Karin, offers us a glimpse into the reality of intimacy. The lyrics are poignant, rich and deep. The music flows out of a place of experience. This album has a permenant place in my cd player. I listen to it all the time. It's stirred and inspired me. Definitely a good buy.