Customer Reviews

O How The Mighty Have Fallen

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

 

 

Once again The Choir releases another great album. If you are a fan of atmospheric, moody, alternative rock... this is the band for you. My all time favorite album by these guys is obviously, Circle Slide (Check it out). But, this new piece of work by the band definitely has some amazing tracks. Once the mellow sounds appear on the title track i was hooked for the entire album. My favorite would be 'Nobody Gets A Smooth Ride.' Check out this album as well as other Choir albums. You will be glad you did.

The last time the threesome from Nashville, TN released an album was way back in 2000 with Flap Your Wings. Fans like myself had to wait another five years for their next release, and it was worth the wait! OHTMHF is another excellent release from the band. Continuing the theme of the Christian faith in the midst of life's struggles, the band continues to excel both lyrically and musically. From life's up's and down's ("Nobody Gets A Smooth Ride") to faith and trust ("Enough To Love") to withdrawing from everyone's love and concern during dark times ("How I Wish I Knew") to broken relationships ("Terrible Mystery"), the band manage to articulate faith, hope, and love in the midst of the trials of life. But the one thing that surprised me about this album is the fact that Husker Du was namechecked in one of the songs ("Fine Fun Time"). In any case, do get this album especially if you love Christian alternative music!

The Choir keeps pumping out music that makes me think, makes me smile, and makes me want more of of their music. If you haven't heard "She's Alright" or "Nobody Gets A Smooth Ride", you really need yourself a favor and get the album. Also "Fine, Fun Time" is just that. Apart from these standout tracks, the rest of the album is pretty standard fare for the The Choir, which means it's all mighty good listening. You'll be humming these hooks for weeks.

Oh, and if you're thinking of buying this digitally off iTunes, let me recommend against it. The packaging and liner notes for this album are hands down the most entertaining and thoughtful that The Choir has ever released.

I joined the following of underground-Christian-alternative band, The Choir, with their '89 album Wide-Eyed Wonder. I've owned each album since. What main-lyricist and drummer, Steve Hindalong, and lead vocalist-guitarist, Derri Daugherty, accomplish is something magical. I haven't felt that way about every song on every album immediately, but usually do after I am able to process the words and hear every nuance of every string and beat. "Oh How..." displays the maturity that has developed among these musicians both in their craft as well as their faith. I've had the album since just after it was released and I still find it in my car's CD player and in my most-played-playlist on my iPod. I believe "Mercy Will Prevail" is my favorite track, which rings with a clear determination both lyrically and rhythmically. "Enough to Love" and the title track fill the next two places on my list. I've always appreciated the honesty with which The Choir faces life, and "Oh How..." doesn't disappoint. And although they have certainly experimented with their sound over the years, "Oh How..." is an album that brings them back to their "true" sound, much like "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" was for U2 after the Zooropa/Pop departure. So I give it 5 stars because along with Circle Slide, this The Choir album gets the most play time for my ears and my soul.