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Album Network
August 19, 1994

OVER THE RHINE
EVE
IRS RECORDS

The pride and joy of Cincinnati, Over the Rhine, returns with a more than satisfying sophomore effort called Eve. After performing 200 plus shows together over the past year in support of their first album, Patience, it is easy to recognize that the band is more cohesive, assertive and focused.

Musically, the band solidly surrounds Karin Bergquist's passionate and softly controlled voice. There's more variety coming from guitarist Ric Hordinski, while bassist Linford Detweiler and drummer Brian Kelley provide a more pulsating rhythmic foundation. The songs are, once and again, full of beautiful poetic and artful imagery, ranging from encounters on the road to spiritual introspection and melancholic isolation. "Happy With Myself?", the most upbeat track on the album, is a clear indication of Over the Rhine's growth, and it has been widely embraced by Adult Rock programmers from coast to coast. Other strong airplay tracks on Eve are "Within Without," with its hooky guitar phrasing and driving bass line; the evocative and edgy "Conjectures Of A Guilty Bystander"; the wispy "Melancholy Room"; the hypnotic "Sleep Baby Jane"; the bluesy "My Love Is A Fever" and my favorite, "Falling (Death Of A Tree)."

Upon listening to Eve, it is quite clear that Over the Rhine is an inventive group of true artists that have something to say with their music. And, by the way, be sure to check out the hidden track at the end of the disc!