Customer Reviews

The Trumpet Child

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With the release of "The Trumpet Child", Over the Rhine has released not one, not two, not three, but FOUR albums in the past year. First there was the outstanding and long-awaited second Christmas album "Snow Angels" (independantly released in December 06), then there was "Live from Nowhere, Volume 2", a great live album also released independantly in early 07, and then there was "Discount Fireworks", the outstanding first ever career-overview, released by Back Porch also in early 07. After their record deal with Back Porch ran out in 2006, the band decided to go the independent route, and this is the first 'regular' studio to come out from that.

"The Trumpet Child" (11 tracks, 41 min.) continues the band's evolution into more jazzier sounds, even cabaret-like, as primary songwriter Linford Dettweiler writes in the liner notes. This comes out in songs like the opener "I Don't Wanna Waste Your Time", "I'm On a Roll" and the title track. Much better for me is the album's mid-section, with Karin Bergquist-penned track (and first single) "Entertaining Thoughts" and also "Let's Spend the Day In Bed", the best track of the album for me. There are a number of tracks on here that OtR has been playing in concert for a while now, including the funny "Trouble" (Karin's ode of sorts to Linford) and also the album closer "If A Song Could Be President", the most overtly political song ever from OtR, and, frankly, a turn-off for me, with silly lines like "We'll make Neil Young a Senator/Even though he's from Canada". Urr... no.

That aside, "The Trumpet Child" is a great addition to the rich Over the Rhine catalogue. Karin Bergquist's vocals sound as warm and rich as ever before. The band continues to evolve, and I've been on this ride since the early 90s. I can only hope they can keep surprising me!

I thought Over the Rhine's last [non-holiday non-retrospective] studio release Drunkard's Prayer was a beautiful and heart-wrenching CD, but it also made me worry that OtR might be losing the sense of stylistic adventure that always distinguished their evolution as a band, and that maybe they were settling a little too comfortably into the alt-countryish groove they first inhabited with Ohio. But The Trumpet Child has arrived to announce resoundingly that this is not the case! Karin and Linford have brought together a very talented troupe of musicians to record this relatively light-hearted collection of songs (a respite of sorts after the soul-dredging of Drunkard's Prayer -- now they're kicking back and getting stoned on love), and the CD features a diverse mix of sophisticated arrangements graced with the usual high levels of passion and musicianship that fans have come to expect from Over the Rhine. There are really no songs I don't like here (the first OtR album I can say that about since Good Dog Bad Dog), from the cautionary invitational "I Don't Want to Waste Your Time" to the whimsical folk anthem "If a Song Could Be President" and in my opinion this album includes some of their best. "Nothing Is Innocent" is my personal favorite and is perhaps their most scathing (and certainly their most haunting) commentary on the state of the nation to date. "The Trumpet Child" is unlike anything I've ever heard and one of the most stirring performances by Karin and Linford on record, brilliantly synthesizing the twin themes of faith and music that have always shaped their lives, and building to a joyful climax followed by a wonderful coda and dissolution by the piano and horns. The rollicking "Who'm I Kiddin' But Me" shows Karin at her casual best, and in fact she turns in a fantastic vocal performance on just about every track here. And I love Linford's vaudeville tribute "Don't Wait for Tom" which includes dozens of lyrical and musical references to Waits' music. Much of this CD is just plain fun!

Every OtR album has felt like a gift to me, and The Trumpet Child is certainly no exception (at the moment it's tied with Patty Griffin's Children Running Through for my favorite disc of 2007). It surprises me that a number of people who posted here aren't enjoying it, including some long-time Over the Rhine fans, but I guess every OtR album has alienated some people. Personally I think Karin's "uhh uhh uhh"s at the begining of "Trouble" alone are worth the price of the CD! In my judgment it's one of their best, and definitely reaffirms the band's commitment to experimenting with new genres and fresh directions that has so often distinguished their recordings. But to each their own, and Over the Rhine really "don't wanna waste your time with music you don't need" -- you can stream lo-fi versions of these amazing songs on their website and decide for yourself if this album deserves a place in your collection!

I'm surprised by the negative reviews that cite the dramatic change in genre heard on The Trumpet Child as a problem; musical versatility and genre-bending are par for the course with Over the Rhine. They have a lot of albums, and no two sound alike. You've got the early-90s alt-rock-pop of Eve, the late 90s folk of Good Dog Bad Dog, the looped up Films for Radio, the pared down Drunkard's Prayer. If you unwrap The Trumpet Child expecting a third disc of Ohio, you're going to be disappointed, but that doesn't mean it isn't an excellent record. The lyrics here are as innovative and poetic as ever, and the music itself is playful, soulful, haunting, and frisky- sometimes all in the same measure. The CD is being touted as their "party record," and while the tongue-in-cheek yet endearingly idealistic "If a Song Could Be President" certainly makes for a fun listen, there's substance here. The title track is astounding, and the thread of hard-won joy that is woven through the entire album is every bit as profound as the threadbare melancholy of GDBD and DP.

If you dismiss this lovely, jazzy incarnation of Over the Rhine, I think you're missing out. But just wait 'til next season, when this band that has turned musical transformation into an art form comes back with a whole different tune. In the meantime, play it loud.

After reading these reviews I feel compelled to write one. I'm shocked at the negative reviews of this disc since I really, really like it and I'm troubled that this is getting dissed simply because of it's retro arrangements. I'm relatively new to OtR, having only "Drunkard's Prayer" and "Films for Radio" but don't find this that much of a departure. They seem to enjoy playing with various styles and this one suites their talents, and regardless of the style these are very strong songs. "Trouble" is my new favorite drive-to-work-in-the-morning song. "I'm on a Roll" and "I don't wanna waste your time" sound like vintage Maria Muldaur. "let's spend the day in bed" is sultry and funky and "Don't wait for Tom" is hilarious. I agree that "if a song could be president" is lame though, almost enough to knock it down a star, but not quite.

They've strayed too close to Dido and Sarah McLachlan territory with the "alternative" vibe. For me this classic, well worn, smokey bar room jazz groove is a welcome diversion. It's nice to hear them sound relaxed and like they're having fun. If you like Robinella, Jolie Holland, Madeline Peroux, The Little Willies, Po' Girl, Sonja Kitchell, Ray Lamontagne, or of course old school Tom Waits you'll find this very satisfying.

Over the Rhine fans are avid, or shall i say rabid. i am one of those. However i do not automatically favor every artistic attempt they have tried. This, however reaches new heights to where i did not know they were even capable.

Good Dog, Bad Dog is a favorite with most of us, Ohio falls close behind.

-> this is a very different record, but it is good.

The Trumpet Child is musically sparse and full all at the same time, and it is funny and insightful while it doesn't ignore the spiritual. it seems the spiritual is more in some of the music, and it is more of a feeling (as maybe it should be)- but it is all there, close your eyes and feel... i did and that is why i praise their work on this record especially.

The fans who are at first disappointed need to listen to the record as if they are not expecting an Over the Rhine album. This is new, but it is still them. this record it is kinda like someone getting a haircut, or a sexchange- the same person is still there, they just move a bit different, the light hits different- there is more air in places that were fuller before... etc.

as a fan from day one, i applaud linford and karen. this is a fully grown-up mature record of high style and fashion. they have done it.

i expect they will finally get the grammy for best contemporary folk album, they better, it is beyond time for the recognition, and right in time with album making.

Other reviewers are correct that this album moves in a somewhat different direction from their previous work. The solid songwriting is still present - it's just painted upon a more upbeat, jazzy canvas. I am surprised by the negative reviews of this album - from reading them, however, it is clear that some fans want OtR to put out albums that all sound exactly like Ohio. I think that this departure on The Trumpet Child is a great addition to the OtR catalog.

I also believe that this is some of Karin's best vocal work. Her voice is confident, smoky, and beautiful. This is also the most upbeat album - I played it during a small party and every person was tapping their toes to the beat. Give The Trumpet Child a listen before believing the negative reviews - it's simply a great album.

The more I listen to it, the more impressed I become. Karin and Linford are at the top of their game. This one is more playful and less "dark" (with "Nothing Is Innocent" as a notable exception) than previous releases, but they deserve to revel in the good a little on the heels of the struggles that produced Drunkard's Prayer.

Sit down with a good set of headphones and a glass of wine and listen deep to the space and texture of this well-crafted album. Too good to pass up.

On most albums there are a few songs I like, and the rest I skip. But listening to The Trumpet Child over and over, I seldom find myself reaching for the "next track" button.

Until I heard a review of this album on Public Radio a few weeks ago, I had never heard of Over the Rhine. Now I am a missionary for this album. I played several tracks for a family gathering yesterday (which includes 4 professional musicians), and it went over well. My favorite ex-girlfriend bought it on my recommendation.

I love the variety, rich instrumentation and sheer creative exuberance of this music. These are mature artists who have listened to a lot of music, taken the best of what they heard, and woven it into their own work, not as imitations or derivative works, but as part of their own rich musical vocabulary.

The lyrics, too, express this creative exuberance. Only a few songs on this album (notably On a Roll) have clichés imbedded in the lyrics. But there are so many cultural references in the lyrics and music itself, I suppose someone could write a dissertation about this album. Few listeners will pick up on all of these references, ranging from the Bible to pop culture, but most of us will click with enough of them to find the words amusing and engaging in a way that most popular songwriting is not. I know I didn't discover most of the "dozens" of references another reviewer mentioned that could be found in Don't Wait for Tom." For example, what's the deal about windshield wipers on a '55 Buick?

But who needs footnotes when you can sit back and enjoy the music?

I believe this music will endure long after the dreck that floods today's airwaves is forgotten.

For years I wanted to like this band. I felt they possessed true potential so I dutifully obtained their first five cds and was repeatedly struck with a sense of disappointment. So for the next 10 years I ignored them. Upon reading an interesting and provoking review in 'Christianity Today' I decided to give them one more try. 2007 saw this Ohio-based outfit retool and revamp to the unveiling of their most creative and dynamic work ever. Imagine flourishes of Tom Waits, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Paris Combo and Billie Holliday invading OtR's arty brand of acoustic- based alterna-pop. Bergquist's voice has reached a level of maturity and command not found on earlier recordings and Detweiler's scope of songwriting has blossomed to include tango, swing and assorted other clever manifestations of art pop. Probably the most surprising release of '07 and along with Arcade Fire's 'Neon Bible' and Runrig's 'Everything you See' ranks among the top two or three albums of the year.

The one thing any longtime fan of OtR knows is this: Karin and Lindford like to mix it up. One of the great joys of attending their concerts is hearing them play an OtR standard totally unlike the way it was originally recorded. The band has always drifted (if drifted is the right word) from pop to rock to jazz to country to gospel so the fact that the band once again mixes it up shouldn't be any surprise.

I've listened Trumpet Child over and over for the last two weeks and I just can't make up my mind which is my favorite song. Each is wonderful in its own way. "Let's Spend the Day in Bed" is a fun love song made especially touching knowing how the two nearly drifted apart a few years ago. "Don't Wait For Tom" is yet another trademark OtR quirky fun song that puts the spotlight on Linford, an all too rare occurrence. "I Don't Wanna Waste Your Time", well Karin, you never have.

If you expect OtR to always release albums like Ohio, well it ain't gonna happen. This is one band that will never grow stale because they refuse to stand still. And neither should we. Buy it.