Birds of My Neighborhood

Innocence Mission

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 10, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00000JMGB
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #157,757 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stunning, April 28, 2002

By	Chel Micheline "gingerblue.com" (SW Florida) - See all my reviews

Many people claim that "Glow" is IM's best recording (and it is an amazing acoustic-folk-pop fusion), but I have to disagree. "Birds of My Neighborhood" is not only my favorite IM CD of all time, but probably in my top-5 favorite albums of all time.

The only way I can describe this cd is by calling it pure, beautiful, and moving. I originally bought the CD when it was first released, but was a little taken back by it because it was so simple and sparse compared to some of Innocence Mission's previous recordings. I started listening to it again last summer and was blown away.

The songwriting is truly amazing. The lyrics capture so much of what I am feeling at the moment (being 27 and dealing with abandoned childhood dreams and new decisions) that I almost feel as if this CD was created specifically for me. That's a rare thing, and I thought I had lost the ability to feel so strongly about music. It's good to know that some bands still have the power to move me.

If you like beautiful female voices, thought-provoking lyrics, andacoustic-based music (I hesitate to call it pure folk because there's so much more to it), you *have* to buy this CD. While it's not as upbeat as some of IM's previous releases, it really captures what the band is all about- brilliant songwriting and beautiful execution.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Serene, February 16, 2000

By	Timothy J. Slivinski (Toledo, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Innocence Mission have released four albums of simple, yet beautiful, music--all to little acclaim or fanfare. Few people outside a devoted following of fans seem to know of their haunting sound. Each successive release has only solidified their niche in music, and this CD is no exception. Now that the group has lost its drummer, the trio's sound is even more acoustic than ever. Karen Peris is not a traditional vocalist, her voice light and soprano. But she brings a beautiful intensity to the lyrics she writes and sings. Listen "The Lakes of Canada"--it will stay with you forever. The opening track, "Where Does the Time Go?" is equally beautiful. The entire CD creates a soothing mood, just right for relaxing. If you are willing to take a chance on a group, then give the Innocence Mission a try. It is quite likely that you will be hooked. Those of us who appreciate their serene simplicity look forward to each release from this talented trio.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stark and Beautiful, July 28, 2000

By A Customer

When The Innocence Mission released their self titled debut in 1989, fans were more than impressed with Karen Peris's voice and her husband Don's guitar playing. However, the album was over produced by Larry Klein; most likely in an attempt to make the band radio-friendly. Luckily with each subsequent release, the band has gradually paired down their sound. "Birds of My Neighborhood" begins where the band left off with their best effort "Glow" which came out in 1995. "Birds" is filled with what is now trademark Karen Peris vocals - so beautiful you just can't figure out why she's not as famous as Joni Mitchell or Stevie Nicks. There's not the crunchy crackling Velvet Undergroundish sound that popped up frequently on "Glow" but instead almost every track delivers quiet contemplative guitar driven stories. The track "Snow" could have easily found a place on Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush" with it's haunting minor-key piano track mixed right behind Karen's vocals. Other standout moments are "The Lakes of Canada" written while the band was on tour with Emmylou Harris and "Birdless", another jaw-dropping beautiful song. The Innocence Mission have kept so consistant throught their 10+ year career with gorgeous musicianship and intelligent, often awe-inspriring lyrics. If they haven't given you goosebumps yet or made you shake your head in disbelief that they're just so great, wait to you see them perform on stage - it's an experience everyone should have. Birds of My Neighborhood is a perfect addition to the band's catalog and possibly their best next to "Glow". Support them - they deserve it and they're without a major label these days.