Description
Diamonds and Rain is the third studio album by the American alternative rock band The Choir, released on Myrrh Records in October 1986, a division of Word. (The Choir – formerly known as Youth Choir – actually was the new Myrrh/LA imprint’s first full-fledged band signing.) The album was recorded by Mike Mierau at Pakaderm Studios in Los Alamitos, California; with Charlie Peacock producing. Mixed by Martin Heyes at Surrey Sound in Leatherhead, England. (Heyes did also mix Peacock’s self-titled Island Records album, released around the same time.)
Although the sound of the album edges closer to pop than anything The Choir ever recorded due to Peacock’s production, Steve Hindalong’s lyrics are far more complex than what was typical for Christian radio at the time, given the dark imagery in “Black Cloud” and “(You Do That) Triangle,” which addresses alcoholism.
Trivia: Hindalong’s original title for Diamonds and Rain was Love and Fear, because the songs had a theme of love and fear and the tension between the two. However, the band’s A&R guy Tom Willet didn’t like that name. He asked Hindalong to see if there were any symbols of those two themes, or something more poetic. Hindalong felt that diamonds could symbolize “love,” and rain could symbolize “fear,” so that is where the title came from.
Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty began their career in Christian Contemporary Music under the name “The Youth Choir,” recording keyboard-heavy ’80s pop which fit comfortably into the CCM radio scene of its time. This was their first record under the abridged band name “The Choir” (Word Records promoted this album heavily on CCM radio with ads that loudly proclaimed, “The Youth Choir has grown up!”). In retrospect, it seems an odd amalgam of their previous teenybopper pop sound and the mature progressive guitar-rock sound they would later develop. These songs often blend innocent, childlike melodies with dark instrumental textures – a stylistic technique which would remain a Choir trademark in their later albums. But there are also a lot of distinctly Youthful pop numbers, burdened with ’80s-style overproduction. This mixture of the mainstream with the alternative is not surprising, considering the producer is Charlie Peacock (a creative CCM popster who established his “progressive” credentials in the early 1980s with vaguely avant-garde, low-budget solo albums). Diamonds in the Rain is filled with slightly antimelodic keyboard arrangements, heavily layered click tracks, and other classic Peacockisms. [Darryl Cater, AMG]
“I painted mercy, show me your pain/ I painted diamonds, don’t fear the rain” encapsulates the message of ‘Diamonds and Rain’, The Choir’s third project. Dropping “Youth” (we all get older), The Choir and producer Charlie Peacock have collaborated to create a most enjoyable, thoughtful, and accessible album of new music-tinged pop. This is a first-rate, serious effort, serious both in content and intent.
While ‘Voices in Shadows‘ and ‘Shades of Gray‘ were valuable as much for their freshness and vitality as for their stimulating honesty in message, ‘Diamonds and Rain’ reveals greater maturity. Drenched in realism about the difficulties and sorrows of life, The Choir carries greater integrity into songs of praise («Fear Only You», «All That Is You», and «When the Morning Comes»).
«Kingston Road», a Charlie Peacock composition, opens side two with the idea of walking with God that culminates in the LP’s closer, «When the Morning Comes». Sandwiched between these two are the album’s strongest tracks, «Listen to Her Eyes», «Triangle», and «Love Falls Down», each addressing issues in human loving and care. The juxtaposing of songs of down-to-earth realism with songs of grace and compassion give even the album’s most solemn moments a dash of hope and a recognition of healing.
Clearly impacted by Peacock’s productive input, The Choir is more rhythmically upbeat overall, but guitars and instrumentals come across slightly subdued. Steve Hindalong’s impressive drum sound and intelligent, poetic lyrics are central to ‘Diamonds and Rain’, and Derry Daugherty’s vocals ring out with greater confidence and melodic sense than previous efforts.
The fact that this move to a distinctive, more commercially viable pop sound is a timely career move – this being their first major label release – in no way undermines The Choir’s artistic integrity. ‘Diamonds and Rain’ broadens The Choir’s potential audience and demonstrates the band’s versatility and adaptability. It’s music and message with relevance to the times. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, December 1986]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/diamonds-and-rain/1165981775)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Fear Only You” – 3:52
A2. “Render Love” – 4:42
A3. “All That Is You” – 3:21
A4. “Black Cloud” – 3:40
A5. “I Painted Mercy” – 4:05
Side Two
B1. “Kingston Road” – 3:39
B2. “Listen To Her Eyes” – 3:20
B3. “(You Do That) Triangle” – 3:17
B4. “Love Falls Down” – 3:12
B5. “When The Morning Comes” – 4:30
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Myrrh Records.
An advertisement for The Choir’s Diamonds and Rain was spread across two pages in the November 1986 issue of CCM Magazine.
CREDITS. Produced by Charlie Peacock. Recorded at Pakaderm Studios, Los Alamitos, CA. Engineered by Mike Mierau, assisted by Paul Abajian. Mixed by Martin Heyes at Surrey Sound, Leatherhead, England. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. Art Direction by Roland Young. Photography by Nancy French. Choir Direction: Brian Martin. All songs co-written by Steve Hindalong (lyrics) and Derald Daugherty (music), except track A1 and A3 co-written by Hindalong, Daugherty, and Tim Chandler, A5 co-written by Hindalong, Daugherty, and Charlie Peacock, A2 and A4 co-written by Hindalong and Peacock, and track B1 written Peacock.
Musicians: The Choir – Derald Daugherty (Guitar, Vocals), Dan Michaels (Woodwind), Tim Chandler (Bass), Steve Hindalong (Drums, Percussion). Additional Musicians: Charlie Peacock (Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Bill Batstone (Backing Vocals), Jerry Chamberlain (Additional Backing Vocals).
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