| Over the Rhine | Everybody Has A Story... | Press Archive index
. . . Star, Chicago Hts IL OVER THE RHINE **** Over the Rhine's last album was moody, atmospheric - good on the rainy day ears, but lacking in anything resembling a sing-along set highlight. Their latest, Eve, more than makes up the last CD's lack. Opening with the tumbling rock of "Happy With Myself?," the band follows the luscious, intoxicating vocals of Karin Bergquist on a spiral through cajun, folk, blues rock and pop textures. In "Melancholy Room" Bergquist glides and slips lightly over the waltzing guitar ballad and then in "Sleep Baby Jane," she drowns the listener in an eerie, almost monotone delivery perfect for a narrative fraught with dark undertones, somewhat reminiscent of Concrete Blonde. The flirtation continues in the funky-guitar and half-spoken delivery of the guitar chunked-up "Daddy Untwisted" and the shambling blusey recitation of "My Love is A Fever." Eve is a vast improvement over OTR's first album (which by the way, was good), and one of my favorite releases of the year (leave the CD run for awhile to catch the cool, unlisted bonus track). It's a slow grower, but with every listen, you'll pay more attention. The intricate lyrics and musical phrasings crafted by this band are well worth your attention. |