Umbrella

Innocence Mission | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 23, 1991)
• Original Release Date: July 23, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B000002GJQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,841 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. And Hiding Away

2. Sorry and Glad Together

3. Umbrella

4. Every Hour Here

5. Evensong

6. Now in This Hush

7. Beginning the World

8. Flags

9. Someday Coming

10. Joan

11. Revolving Man

12. My Waltzing Days Are Over/Minta's Waltz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Band That Lives Up To It's Name, January 28, 2002

By 

Gordon Hackman "absent minded prof" (Buffalo Grove, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Umbrella (Audio CD)

The Innocence Mission is one of my favorite bands, and, though it's hard to choose, Umbrella is probably my favorite album by them. In an age that seems to prize the vulgar, ugly, stupid, crass, noisy, overhyped and famous, they make music that is graceful, beautiful, thoughtful, reflective, and that celebrates the goodness of faith and of normal, everyday life. The sound is comprized primarily of Don Peris's sometimes swirling and lush, sometimes sparse and delicate guitars, and the lilting, almost elfin voice of wife Karen. These combine with a solid rythm section of drums and bass to create songs that are sometimes explosive burst of joy ("And Hiding Away"), sometimes driving and anthemic ("Now In This Hush"), and sometimes hushed and quiet ("Someday Coming" and "Revolving Man"). Some songs also feature a piano as the primary instrumental accompaniment, ("My Waltzing Days Are Over" and the title track). The lyrics tend towards reflections and affirmations on the joys, trials, worries and goodness of everyday life in songs like "Sorry and Glad Together", "Evensong", and "Revolving Man", or religious reflections in songs like "Every Hour Here" and "Now in this Hush". Karen also write about her own inner struggles and personal fears in songs like "Someday Coming" and the title track. There are times when the music seems to perfectly capture the essence of what the lyrics are saying. One song where this is especially the case is "Revolving Man", where a simple repetitively picked guitar part actually gives the feeling of revolving. I have often described the band as living up to it's name because their music seems to capture a quality of innocence and purity of spirit that is hard to find in the cynical and overly sophisticated world of popular culture. This album is great place to first encounter this wonderful band.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It just blows me away!, January 23, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Umbrella (Audio CD)

I just saw Innocence Mission in NYC. It was my second time seeing them. A few conclusions from the show: they are amazing! they sound perfect in concert! "Every Hour Here" is the greatest song they have written! Just look at these lyrics: "You are like the ticket-half I find inside the pocket of my old leaf-raking coat"-- Karen Paris

It's lyrics like this that make all the music we hear on the radio seem worthless. If you are looking for inspiring music that moves you, give the Innocence Mission a listen.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll take this one to a deserted island!, February 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Umbrella (Audio CD)

I enjoyed Innocence Mission's first release way back in 1989, and was then blown away by Umbrella. In the years since Umbrella's release, I have yet to find another album as poetic and powerful. It has remained on my "top ten list" ever since. Karen's lyrics and melodies are so strong that one can almost visualize the stories she is telling taking place. Their follow-up album, Glow, was terrific also, but no collection should be without Umbrella!