Friday, June 29, 2007

Desert Island Discs - Ohio


My dad challenged his readers to join him in a series of “desert island” reviews – the most essential, can’t-live-without-‘em, albums in your collection. This is a personal list, not a best-of list. If I’m stuck on this island with other people who I would share music with, I might change my answers a bit. So, I don’t know how many of these posts I’ll do, but I’ll start today.

Over the Rhine has been my favorite band since I was about 18. I’ve seen then live probably 6 or 7 times. All their music has gotten so much play in my life the last 6 years that I really couldn’t live without at least one. But which to choose? Good Dog Bad Dog was my very first OTR album, and has a special place in my heart, but I decided instead to go with Ohio. Ohio has some of the delicate, intimate style of GDBD, but also has a few full-band rockers in there too. And, bonus, it’s a double album; I get two for the price of one (of course, we’re not limited to a top 5 or whatever here, but still). Anyway, what’s so great about Ohio?

I remember waiting anxiously for my pre-ordered copy of this cd to arrive in the mail. When it finally came I was immediately in love – every song was stunning in its own way. It covers a range of content – from love songs (Lifelong Fling) to political statements (Remind Us) to songs that defy categorization (most of the rest of them). I have always loved Karin and Linford’s lyrics, and their music for that matter. And this album really showcases everything that I love about them.

3 comments:

Bob K said...

Thanks for playing along, Bethany - this is going to be my Over the Rhine album too when I get to them in my list for many of the same reasons you state. This is a predictable choice for your first disc, I must say, having lived with you while you waited for the CD to arrive in the mail.

Dave Schipper said...

I don't have a lot of their stuff, but did find them thru Paste too...

Pick your three most favorite songs, and I'll buy them in iTunes.

Dave

bethany said...

Hi Dave. Where did you get Paste from? I was an OTR fan longer than Paste existed (though they are a great mag). Three songs??? ahh! I don't know. Somewhat arbitrarily "Professional Daydreamer", "We're Gonna Pull Through" and "Faithfully Dangerous"