1. Home
  2. music
  3. 198555-13640

Any fans of Over the Rhine?

It’s a rare day when I encounter a band/musician I’ve never heard that inspires me to buy a CD. I spend plenty of time listening to unfamiliar music but it just doesn’t happen very often that I encounter anything that really grabs me.

I stumbled onto OTR on Spotify via the "Fans Also Like" feature. I don’t even recall who I’d been listening to before them. 

I find Karin Bergquist’s voice, Lindford Detweiler’s piano playing and the songwriting equally compelling. Not sure what to call this music -- somewhere between Americana and sophisticated Pop, perhaps. I read they are Christian and there are definitely some Christian themes but it’s not preachy in any way. It’s spiritual/universal rather than religious/dogmatic, for those who relate to the distinction.

Just wondering if any (other) forum members are fans. . . 

A taste;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry8Svaj9owI&list=RDRy8Svaj9owI&start_radio=1

stuartk
slaw's avatar
slaw
26,607 posts
 

Haven't heard Films For Radio. I did listen to my last lp by them though. "love and revelation"....SQ is nice, but out of the three I own, this is my least favorite.

 

stuartk OP
4,030 posts
 

@slaw 

So far my favorite is Drunkard’s Prayer, followed by Ohio and Films for Radio, but there remain many I’ve yet to listen to. I tried Innocence Mission but found the female vocalist unengaging. 

@mitchagain 

yes

mitchagain
509 posts
 

@stuartk 

I'm not surprised about your reaction to The Innocence Mission, as they are more interesting musically than vocally. Over The Rhine exhibits enough complexity and originality to keep them from becoming wallpaper - background muzak. 

slaw's avatar
slaw
26,607 posts
 

Just ordered Drunkard's Prayer on vinyl

stuartk OP
4,030 posts
 

@mitchagain 

Karen Bergquist is simply a much better singer, technically, to begin with. Add in her emotional intensity, the quality of both the songs and accompaniment and I’d agree that "lightweight" would describe how I. Mission sound to me. Of course, others may disagree. As mentioned, I also love the piano playing on OTR records. Hardly virtuosic yet  immensely satisfying. 

@slaw 

That’s still my favorite, so far. I’m like a blank sheet of paper that, dropped into that album, becomes effortlessly and wholly saturated. My favorite type of listening experience! 

More to discover