‘Till We Have Faces

Description

‘Till We Have Faces is the debut album by the American alternative pop band Over the Rhine, independently released on CD by the band in 1991 (though originally sold as a cassette the year before). The album was produced by band member Linford Detweiler and Timothy McAllister of Flock 14 and World Theatre fame. ‘Till We Have Faces was re-issued by I.R.S. Records in 1995.

Originally released as early as 1990 as a cassette sold at their live performances, this document shows Over the Rhine at their earliest, most embryonic stages – in the days when they described themselves as being “post-nuclear pseudo-alternative art-tinged folk-pop.” This was recorded before singer Karin Bergquist was very comfortable being in front of an audience. The major battle with this group in its earliest incarnation – specifically, “How should Ric Hordinski play his guitar?” is beginning to brew even at these earlier stages, with his playing at its widest extremes found on any recording. Softer, prettier numbers such as «Gentle Wounds» or «Paul and Virginia» (akin to Patience) are so seldom juxtaposed with their more dangerous pieces like «Fly Dance» or «Iron Curtain» (more typical of Eve). The beauty of this record is its naïveté – the band has not yet figured out 100 percent what they want to do here. Later releases are stronger and more confident, but what they gain in confidence and surefootedness they lose in freshness and unpredictability. Probably the group’s biggest concert fave, «Like a Radio», saw the light of day here. Other more atypical songs such as «Someday» or «And Can It Be» cast an interesting light on the original intentions for the group’s direction. They are also their dreamiest here, as evidenced on the entire record, but specifically, «If I’m Drowning» and «The Genius of Water». The newest edition of this record includes a live version of «Fly Dance» in lieu of the original, as well as a bonus track, «Downfall», previously unreleased. The title comes from a C.S. Lewis novel of the same name. [Mark W. B. Allender, AMG]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/till-we-have-faces/716411197)

CD tracklist:

01. Eyes Wide Open – 5:05
02. Someday – 4:34
03. Like A Radio – 5:04
04. Iron Curtain – 2:48
05. Cast Me Away – 0:45
06. And Can It Be – 5:46
07. Gentle Wounds – 4:08
08. L.A.R. Reprise – 1:05
09. If I’m Drowning – 4:59
10. Sea And Sky – 3:21
11. Fly Dance – 3:17
12. Paul And Virginia – 4:06
13. Ubiquitous Hands – 4:10
14. The Genius Of Water – 4:13
15. [Untitled] – 1:02

Note: Released on both cassette and CD by Scampering Songs.

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