Description
Kalhöun is the ninth studio album by the American alternative rock band Daniel Amos (on this album credited as dä), released on Brainstorm Artists International in July 1991, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Gene Eugene of Adam Again fame at the Mixing Lab in Huntington Beach, California; with Terry Taylor and the band producing for Stunt Productions. Mixed by Eugene and Taylor at Neverland Studios in Los Alamitos, California.
The album was cut live in the studio for the most part, and the organic feel of four musicians – Terry Taylor, Greg Flesch, Tim Chandler, and Ed McTaggart – playing as one is quite sublime. Kalhöun marked the return of the band after a number of years working on side projects like The Swirling Eddies.
Kalhoun marks the return of Da: Terry Taylor, Ed McTaggart, Tim Chandler, and Greg Flesch; after a four year hiatus since Darn Floor – Big Bite. Here in 1991, Da has again outdone itself, rising to escalating expectations, and surprising the long-time fan or casual listener with remarkably unique, yet culturally relevant rock ‘n’ roll.
Of course, the temptation is to call Da the forefather of the alternative nor does it allow for the pop sensibilities of «If You Want To» or «I Will Return», not to mention the aggressive hard rock refrain of «Father Explains».
Kalhoun addresses a broken and hurting world, where the misuse of power has left relationships spinning with no direction home. «Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Feeling», and numerous other tracks, look at how religious leaders and/or politicians, when guided only by their instincts toward self-gratification, can lead us down the path to perdition, all with a misguided sense that it’s for the best. «Virgin Falls» takes an angrier look at ways that the powerful can be led by values that lead to destruction, while presenting a very different public face. «Father Explains» touches on the gritty, human issues when cultures declare “holy war,” with claims that God is on their side. The title track explores the insanity that over takes a country in love with war and quick, “cost-less” victories. «Note to Anna» reflects sadly on an attempt to express love in a way to bolster a dear friend against difficulty, but as can be the case in the real world, it’s too little too late.
In the midst of this are songs of hope and faith. «I Will Return» takes an unromantic look at life, yet affirms Christ’s promise. «The Gate of the World» expresses the joy of the eternal now in the moment of grace, with its promise of relational bliss with God. «If You Want To», the strongest track here, one of Taylor’s best songs yet, and the best love song I’ve heard since The Choir’s «About Love», affirms the importance of choice and the promise that we can indeed make a difference in the world with our lives and loves. Great songs, strongly performed and compellingly crafted make Kalhoun the best complete Da effort yet. Da comes back with a vengeance, and, to steal a phrase, “Don’t know exactly what it means / It’s just a sacred kind of thing.” What are you waiting for, everybody sing “Kalhoun!” [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, September 1991]
So tell me something – does this guy Terry Taylor ever sleep? Sure, it’s been four years since the last Da album (Darn Floor-Big Bite), but the guy hasn’t exactly been taking an extended vacation. Since ’87, Taylor hs spearheaded two Swirling Eddies projects, released another Rap’sures album, produced two albums for Jacob’s Trouble and two for ‘scattered few,’ supervised the reissue of vintage Daniel Amos live material (plug!), packaged an ersatz ‘best of’ disc (under the name of dr. Edward Daniel Taylor) and probably a dozen other things I forgot to mention. But when Brainstom (formerly Broken) came calling, Taylor had his choice – he could do a solo record, another Eddies disc, anything he liked. It seemed the time was right for a new Da album. How fortunate we are Taylor made that derision.
Kalhoun revisits several lyrical strands that Taylor has woven through his music over the years, even as far back as the first Daniel Amos album. Previously, in «Big Time, Big Deal» and «I Didn’t Build It For Me», Taylor cast a withering gaze at the hypocritical actions of some of the prominent representatives of modem American evangelical Christianity. Here, Terry directs that examination inward on «Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing». Songs such as «Real Girls» and «Rodeo Drive», examined the facade most of us erect in order to show less of our true selves; «Virgin Falls» and «Tracking The Amorous Man» explore the duality of our nature in much the same way. Through «Prayer Wheel» and «Gate of the World», Taylor reminds us that, due to the expanding “global village,” electronically if not organically, we’re more closely linked to each other than ever before. The title track, «Father Explains» and «Gloryhound» explore various facets of our current administration’s fascination with a “new world order;” indeed, «Father Explains» may be the most political song Terry Taylor has ever penned.
On a more intimate level, «If You Want To» is certainly one of Taylor’s most endearing love songs, while «Note To Anna» is a sad reminder that our human efforts to save someone are doomed to fail; only Christ can accomplish that. «I Will Return» takes the tale of «Mall All Over The World» to its apocalyptic conclusions. But Taylor is not merely “recycling” old storylines as a songwriting device; his lyrical growth and maturity are in evidence throughout the album.
Musically, Kalhoun displays a fascinating juxtaposition of sounds; it’s Da “unplugged,” yet simultaneously offering some of the crunchiest guitar sounds since Alarma! or «I Love You #19». As the allram fades in on Ed McTaggart’s brushes sweeping across his snare drum, you know you’re in for a different Da. «Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing» is built, as are many of the tunes, around Taylor’s acoustic rhythm guitar.
«Kalhoun» blisters with Greg Flesch’s electric guitar work, while «I Will Return» is driven by accordion and ethereal vocals. The rhythmic cello part on «Tracking The Amorous Man» recalls E.L.O., and «Gloryhound» is buoyed by steel guitar licks. But these musical quirks never seem like tricks, simply minor embellishments. Kalhoun was cut live in the studio for the most part and the organic feel of four musicians playing as one is quite sublime.
When you call anything an artist’s “best” that automatically raises the public’s expectations. But Kalhoun certainly contains several of the best songs Terry Taylor has ever written, and musically, it is one of the bands most satisfying performances. [Bruce A. Brown, Harvest Rock Syndicate, July/August 1991]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/kalh%C3%B6un/597083576)
CD tracklist:
01. Big, Warm, Sweet, Interior Glowing – 3:36
02. If You Want To – 3:58
03. Kalhoun – 3:20
04. I Will Return – 4:18
05. Tracking the Amorous Man – 3:08
06. Virgin Falls – 4:14
07. Gloryhound – 4:40
08. Prayer Wheel – 3:39
09. Note to Anna – 2:41
10. Father Explains – 4:32
11. Gate of the World – 4:11
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Brainstorm.
CREDITS. Produced by Terry Taylor and dä for Stunt Productions. Engineered by Gene Eugene. Recorded at Mixing Lab, Huntington Beach, CA. Additional recording at Neverland, Los Alamitos, CA. Mixed by Gene Eugene and Terry Taylor at Neverland. Mastered by John Matousek at Sound Works West. Illustrations by Court Patton, Patton Brothers Design, El Cajon, CA. Design and Layout by Patton Brothers Design. Art Direction by Court Patton, Terry Taylor and Tom Gulotta. Photography by Brian K. Tong. Film imaging by Ed McTaggart, FMG Graphics, Newport Beach, CA. All lyrics written by Terry Taylor. Lyrics by Terry Taylor. Music by Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler and Greg Flesch, except track 2, 9, and 10 written by Taylor. “Father Explains” is dedicated to the children of the world.
Musicians: dä is – Terry Taylor (Lead and Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Greg Flesch (Guitars, Accordian, B-3, Violin), Tim Chandler (Bass, Additional Guitars), Ed McTaggart (Drums, Percussion). Additional Musicians: Dave Hackbarth (Trumpet), Miles Tackett (Cello), Greg Kellogg (Pedal Steel Guitar), Dave Raven (Drum Technician), Travis Sheets (Organ Donor). Thanks for the amps: Kevin Kelly, Robin Sercomb, and Greg Lawless.
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