Taste is the key word. For some fans, it goes even further back to 1986. That's
when their music sounded more poppy than "alternative". All the demos that are
available for download from back then and of course the elusive Tending the
Rose Garden EP really shed light on the fact that the Innocence Mission has
changed a lot musically over the years. I'm still not into the whole electronic
drums thing that Steve was doing back then. Ick. But some of the music was
pretty good despite the electronic poppy sound. And the guys were doing a lot
more backing vocals back then as opposed to the debut CD on A&M where it
shifted over to Karen.
Obviously, not everyone really likes the "alternative" style of the 90s. The
folksyness of the latter material is less dated in a way since the genre has
been around a lot longer and is more accepted. But I think there are still fans
of the more impressionistic style of music that we saw from the band iduring
the 90's. Quite honestly, I think that has to do a lot with Larry Klein's
studio influence. I know the band really liked the Cocteau Twins, but I'm sure
Larry probably pushed them in the right direction at that time. Remember, back
then they were HUGELY popular with the alternative crowd. Black Sheep Wall was
a top 20 hit on the Alternative charts. If I remember correctly, I Remember Me
also was a pretty big hit. Their style was very different than the rest of what
was out there at the time. It was far less dominated by drums than everyone
else, and also were less dramatic in tempo. One of my favorite terms that came
from reviewers was "Victorian rock" which I think pre!
tty much sums it up for their style at that time. Simply gorgeous in my
opinion. It was like hearing a Monet painting.
I think their music today is more inspired chorally from the Church. Like Bach
in a way. I think it's less dependent on lush harmonies and melodies in favor
of a more refined style. However, songs like When Mac Was Swimming kinda break
that train since it sounds unlike anything they've ever recorded before.
Anyhow, that's enough rambling for now. :)
Keith
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