Customer Reviews

Umbrella

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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!

A second cup of grace provides growth, maturity, and confidence for the Innocence Mission: a band too few have recognized as a truly great core of musicians -- creating art while advancing a Christ-like steadiness through the sweet noise of music. The early phase of exploitation is captured by A&M: these years are exceptionally deserving. While the self-titled album is a classic unto itselfI feel it lacks some maturity  compared to Umbrella which by the way uncorked a fresh audience: a fan base greatly devoted, known as Missionaries. The most cherished, and exceedingly visible pearls are:
A. Every Hour Here
B. Sorry And Glad Together
C. Flags
D. And Hiding Away

All tracks, every one, transcend pop or folk rock: as the lyrics are communicating a worldview that is inclusive, encouraging, and in all directions charming. Some may feel the disc is overproduced: in my view it is not. I feel the Glow while top-notch, is slightly less effective when compared to Umbrella. Umbrella is like a journey in which, we discover a warm friendship, accompanying a few of lifes ups and Downs along the way. Umbrella can cover with beauty, what more can listeners ask?

Karen Peris sings in an easily perceptible manner and feelingly  plus, the drums are put on display, unlike the more recent releases: it seems the band is customarily without a drummer these days.

If you like good music, Umbrella is a delicacy, and you should possess it to complete your music collection. It was my introduction to the band: let it be yours

-- Rich Young

The second offering of the Innocence Mission brings further evidence of the hauntingly beautiful voice of Karen Peris. This early A&M realease while still somewhat (produced sounding) compared to her latest indie releases possesses that intangible combination of melancholy and hope combined with Ms. Peris' breathtaking vocal quality make umbrella a must have.
Largely forgotten and overshadowed by the more commercial "glow" CD, newcomers to the Innocence Mission would do well to start with umbrella. Sadly A&M chose not to add Umbrella to their current catalouge. However, it can still be found at this site and at the Gemm site. A highly recommended and underrated classic.

If I had to keep one CD in my collection of over 200, it would likely be this one(and if not, it would surely be another by IM). It's not the band's favorite, but it has an amazing quality about it. I cannot listen to this simply as background music...it has my complete attention whenever I play it. It best complements quiet times, drives in the country, or bringing me out of the doldrums. Top quality music!!!

This CD is a truly unique work of art. It has the ability to move you emotionally. You can listen to this CD over and over, and never tire of it. One of the best CD's out there.

The first CD that I purchased by the Innnocence Mission was "Glow". After listening to that album once, I was hooked and went out to buy the group's first and second CDs as well. I was pleased to find that "Umbrella" was equally as brilliant. Karen Peris' voice is so etheral and soothing that you cannot possibly feel any stess while listening to these moving songs. While I agree with the comparison to Natalie Merchant's voice on the joyful "And Hiding Away", I find that on most other songs she shows her own unique style and quality....most notably, "Sorry and Glad Together", "Every Hour Here", "Evensong","Now in this Hush", and the truly powerful title song. If you enjoy Natalie Merchant or The Sundays, you'll love The Innocence Mission even more.

It appears as if Karen Peris' eldest brother's {Alex McCullough's} marriage (as discussed on the sublime "Curious") resulted in a marked strengthening of her faith. Unlike "The Innocence Mission", where Peris' Catholicism is only apparent in patches, this album is full of explicit religious imagery all through. This reaches a peak on "Every Hour Here", which is almost a hymn to the love of Jesus, and in such lines as "A halo round me - like Our Lady", "O bless us/So we give our hearts so far", and "God, He gave me a brave heart/But God, He gave me a chicken head".
Given that this album was released at a time when gangsta rap and grunge were emerging to dominate the popular market, it was hardly surprising that something so diametrically opposed to gangsta rap's rebelliousness should completely fail to sell.
Yet, Karen Peris, who likens performing on stage to the early Christians thrown to the lions at the Colloseum in Rome, clearly wanted to show she was a distinctive artist not only for her religious piety.
Moving away from the somehat muted sound of her debut, she was still able to craft an excellent set of pop songs, tuneful and melodic yet still beautiful. Larry Klein continues to provide an excellent ground for Peris' angelic voice. Though some of the songs, such as the title song and "Sorry and Glad Together", barely got going, "And Hiding Away", "Evensong", "Now In This Hush" and "Someday Coming" were near-flawless tunes that were unfortunately overlooked. And the finale, "My Waltzing Days Are Over/Minta's Waltz" was one of the few medleys in pop music that actually works.
Though I will be hated by student radicals for saying this, I think this album should be given a serious listen, if not being as brilliant, accesible or influential as the debut.

I bought this CD when I couldn't find their first one, "Innocence Mission" in the store. I had to own Karen's awesome voice. Yes, this is a great album but if you are buying your first one get THEIR first one. I have it on tape and will buy it today before the tape breaks and I go through withdrawl!