Over The Rhine

Over The Rhine
Drunkard’s Prayer
Back Porch Records

This low-key new Over The Rhine release represents the quieter side of the Ohio-based outfit. Granted, OTR has always leaned toward the lower end of the volume level, and is rarely confused with, say, noisy speed metal bands. But even for the already relatively subdued Over The Rhine, this one is still a bit of a hushed effort.

The title of “Drunkard’s Prayer” may conjure up images of a lonesome old bluegrass gospel lament. But it this case, the album’s title track compares romantic attachment to alcohol dependency in its lyric, instead. And despite having the word “prayer” in its title, this disc is by no means an overtly spiritual recording. Instead, it’s an introverted meditation on life issues in general. And since we already know of Over The Rhine’s deep faith, it’s mainly spiritual by inference alone.

For its striking aural attributes, “Drunkard’s Prayer” is a beautiful project to behold. Take, for instance, the acoustic guitar work on “Who Will Guard The Door,” which immediately brings the folk sounds of Nick Drake to mind. The CD closes with a lovely cover of the torch standard, “My Funny Valentine.” In addition to the abundance of standup acoustic bass utilized throughout this disc, other jazz elements can also be found within it. This pattern is no more obvious than on “Little Did I Know,” which is a piano-based ballad that features both a Count Basie-like piano solo from Linford Detweiler, and even an honest to goodness sax solo.

Vocalist Karin Bergquist, of course, is the shiniest jewel in OTR’s crown. And the quieter her band is, the brighter she sparkles, which makes “Drunkard’s Prayer” something of an answered prayer for acoustic music fans. [Back Porch] Dan MacIntosh

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Over The Rhine

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