Track listing
- 1 Rain (Setting Out in the Leaf Boat) 4:13
- 2 The Happy Mondays 4:31
- 3 God Is Love 3:37
- 4 Gentle the Rain 3:47
- 5 Spring 3:57
- 6 All the Weather 2:58
- 7 Rhode Island 3:24
- 8 North American Field Song 3:19
- 9 Mile-Marker 2:02
- 10 The Leaves Lift High 3:58
- 11 I'd Follow If I Could 2:00
- 12 The Melendys Go Abroad 1:31
- 13 Shout for Joy 2:55
- Total length: 42:12
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8 Reviews
Only Karen Peris could write a song called "God is Love" and not only get away with it but have it stand out on a really solid record.
The Innocence Mission is love.
The Innocence Mission is love.
Published
In a noisy, cluttered world, the music of the Innocence Mission stands strangely resolute. Have been into this group since college and have been on a bit of a walk down memory lane of late, and I am convinced that their beneath each layer of autumnal, folky instrumentation, there is some truly brilliant songwriting that finds Karen and Don Peris questioning the meaning of life, their relationship with higher powers and of course, the sunlight sifting through the tree leaves. Just like the latter, the beauty of Innocence Mission is undeniable. But this is perhaps the only group that can make a song titled 'God Is Love' so heartbreakingly gorgeous that it demands replays. 'North American Field Song' (one of my favourite songs, period) and 'Rain' are equally lovely cuts that serve as wonderful companions on days both pleasant and unpleasant. I am determined to make a documentary about this group one day where I trace their understated trajectory from pop to spiritual folk tunes, a career that has been far too overlooked by mainstream music.
Published
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A solid and satisfying record (it all sounds like hearing a very formidable ensemble play on a rainy day in some hip coffee shop). The instrumental "Mile-Marker" is so damn lovely.
Published
I've heard this band being called music for soccer moms trying to appear out of left field when they grow tired of embarrasing themselves dancing to Beyonce at their daughter's 11th birthday party. Bullshit. Soccer moms are cool, The Innocence Mission are cool, now shut up. I'm picturing one of those mid-west freak tornados spoiling for a fight only to hear 'North American Field Song', promptly break down in tears and apologise for being such a douche; then they all live happily ever after. Karen Pernis shows up on 'The Happy Mondays' armed with some peace, love, and harmony, sitting holding her hands on her cotton dress in some church hall near Lancaster PA, strands of sunlight piercing in through its windows, carrying speckles of dust that she catches on the palm of her hand, then sets free again. 'God Is Love' is really just, well, just listen. So so wonderful.
Published
Spritely
What drew me first to The Innocence Mission was the spritely voice of Karen Peris, which fits the band's name perfectly. I've heard pretty much all of their albums, and this one remains my favorite because its music comes across as simple, effortless, and breezy. Besides Peris' voice, many lovely instruments are presented on the album, such as the acoustic and electric guitar, piano, pump organ, melodica, drums, cello, violin, upright bass, and electric bass.
The general season of this album is one of early spring and summer; it has an acoustic, organic touch. The melodica adds a special warmth and uniqueness to the album, giving it a subtly sacred feel. The lyrics, drawn from the beauty and awe of the natural landscape, speak of childhood, school time ending, God and love, and of spring blossoming.
I can listen to this album straight through without having to skip a song. If I had to choose, I would say my favorite tracks are "Gentle the Rain at Home", "Spring", and "Rhode Island".
This album is perfect for anyone who loves sipping tea in their pajamas early morning, walking beneath a canopy of trees in the park, and reminiscing about breezy childhood days. I highly recommend it.
Published
This album summoned me.... "What's up with The Innocence Mission then?", I suddenly thought and there, on the band's homepage, I found "My Room in the Trees", their brand new album. Having no expectations or high hopes and being taken rather off guard by the whole thing I found myself sucked in by the three opening tracks and so instantly hooked that the subtle beauty of the rest of the album was allowed to reveal itself to me since I from then could not stop listening to it. Gee, did autumn come fast this year, was one of my first reactions.
"My Room in the Trees" might be a tad too heavy and melancholic to become that special summer record - it's arguably the Innocence Mission's darkest album since Birds of My Neighbourhood - but it does in fact turn out to be a major return to form for the duo. The sincerity of the songs and the music, the low-key perfection of the production and - of course - Karen Peris' absolutely captivating voice makes for an album that really glows in the dark. Folksy, beatless and minimal often adds up to boring but not with Don and Karen, fortunately. They take us from one magic moment to the next so easily and naturally throughout the album that it - to me - clearly stands out as one of the best and most coherent ones in their - undeniably impressive - discography. Well, I said I was summoned by this album. Indeed I was and now I'm probably stuck with it for the rest of my life. At least that's what my heart tells me...
"My Room in the Trees" might be a tad too heavy and melancholic to become that special summer record - it's arguably the Innocence Mission's darkest album since Birds of My Neighbourhood - but it does in fact turn out to be a major return to form for the duo. The sincerity of the songs and the music, the low-key perfection of the production and - of course - Karen Peris' absolutely captivating voice makes for an album that really glows in the dark. Folksy, beatless and minimal often adds up to boring but not with Don and Karen, fortunately. They take us from one magic moment to the next so easily and naturally throughout the album that it - to me - clearly stands out as one of the best and most coherent ones in their - undeniably impressive - discography. Well, I said I was summoned by this album. Indeed I was and now I'm probably stuck with it for the rest of my life. At least that's what my heart tells me...
Published
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One of the songs in this album is titled "God Is Love" and normally, that would be enough to make me automatically hate the whole thing but with Karen Peris' vocals as defense against cheesy Jesus freakiness, I have weapons down and I'm just so willing to give it a chance. The rest of the album does redeem itself quite nicely. The Innocence Mission is still in the business of making pleasant, lovely indie folk with happy, cheerful sentiments played in melancholic low keys and low notes. These folks have been in the music making industry for so long, long enough to know that the best happy songs are the songs not bursting with fruit flavor but the ones that drive in a steady, serene pace. The clear as pin drop guitars and sparkling pianos are all Karen's voice needs to touch my heart and _My Room in the Trees_ is a subtle wonder, a thing of wispiness that refuses to waver from its optimism.
Published
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Catalog
12 Dec 2023
17 Nov 2023
31 Oct 2023
9 Aug 2023
6 Jun 2023
-
1
Rain (Setting Out in the Leaf Boat)
-
2
The Happy Mondays
-
3
God Is Love
-
4
Gentle the Rain
-
5
Spring
-
6
All the Weather
-
7
Rhode Island
-
8
North American Field Song
-
9
Mile-Marker
-
10
The Leaves Lift High
-
11
I'd Follow If I Could
-
12
The Melendys Go Abroad
-
13
Shout for Joy
4 May 2023
2 Mar 2023
16 Jan 2023
-
1
Rain (Setting Out in the Leaf Boat)
-
2
The Happy Mondays
-
3
God Is Love
-
4
Gentle the Rain
-
5
Spring
-
6
All the Weather
-
7
Rhode Island
-
8
North American Field Song
-
9
Mile-Marker
-
10
The Leaves Lift High
-
11
I'd Follow If I Could
-
12
The Melendys Go Abroad
-
13
Shout for Joy
4 Jan 2023
15 Nov 2022
2 Jul 2022
19 May 2022
23 Feb 2022
16 Jan 2022
13 Jan 2022
-
1
Rain (Setting Out in the Leaf Boat)
-
2
The Happy Mondays
-
3
God Is Love
-
4
Gentle the Rain
-
5
Spring
-
6
All the Weather
-
7
Rhode Island
-
8
North American Field Song
-
9
Mile-Marker
-
10
The Leaves Lift High
-
11
I'd Follow If I Could
-
12 The Melendys Go Abroad
-
13
Shout for Joy
