Over The Rhine
Biography
Over the Rhine had already developed a large and intensely loyal following in its native Cincinnati, OH, before they independently released their first two albums, Till We Have Faces (1991) and Patience (1992). Their music, which they aptly dubbed "post-nuclear, pseudo-alternative, folk-tinged art-pop," is difficult to pigeonhole. They have been compared to 10,000 Maniacs, the Innocence Mission, U2, and Shawn Colvin, but the band's personality seems to owe more to their literary influences (which include Dylan Thomas, C.S. Lewis, and T.S. Eliot). They drew attention to their independent albums with their attractively arty CD packaging, and when IRS signed them in 1992, Patience became the first album in the label's history to be re-released with its original indie cover art. But 1994's Eve would end up the only album the band would record on an IRS budget (with the exception of a slightly touched-up re-release of Till We Have Faces in 1995). When the label was bought out in 1996, Over the Rhine escaped from its five-record contract, fearing a loss of artistic autonomy. By the end of the year the band had released two imaginatively sparse acoustic CDs on its own: Good Dog Bad Dog and The Darkest Night of the Year, a melancholy Christmas album.
1996 also saw significant personal changes for all four bandmembers: Over the Rhine's chief songwriters (bassist/pianist Linford Detweiler and classically trained lead singer Karin Bergquist) were married in October. In December, guitarist Ric Hordinski left to devote more time to his own band, Monk, and drummer Brian Kelley followed (before he changed his mind in 1997). The group issued Besides, a fan-club-only compilation of rarities, in early 1997; the official album Amateur Shortwave Radio appeared in 1999. The band's sixth studio effort Films for Radio appeared in early 2001. Two years later, Detweiler and Bergquist returned with Ohio. This double-disc set, which marked Over the Rhine's tenth album overall, reflected the band's Midwestern connections. Following a tumultuous year of heavy touring, the band returned to the studio (Bergquist and Detweiler's living room, to be precise) and recorded their next album, Drunkard's Prayer, which came out in 2005. They released a career retrospective, Discount Fireworks, in February 2007, followed by the all-new Trumpet Child later that summer. ~ Darryl Cater, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
Love them... Their music touches my soul. Its the sound that provokes that heart felt smile out of you.
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Over The Rhine never ceases to surprise and inspire me. Their soulful lyrics and provoking sound catches me off guard, comforts and amuses me, and inspires me. If you haven't given them a try, it's worth every moment.
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The neighborhood their name comes from used to be separated from the city by the Erie Canal. The German citizenry referred to it as the Rhine, so when they went home from work they had to cross over the Rhine. Some useless trivia for you.
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This biography/re v i e w does significant injustice to the thoughtful lyrical and vocal innovation that marks the ever-evolvin g Over the Rhine. Having attended six live shows and reviewed the poetic lyrics of nearly every album they've produced, I can confidently say that this is my favorite band! Not to be neglected is their wonderful album "Good Dog Bad Dog". If you don't know "Over the Rhine", give each of their albums a try--there's something for everyone!
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Wow! I haven't heard them in years! Still sound great and glad to know they have come so far! Please add the albums 'Patience' and 'Til We Have Faces' if you can! They are my favorites from back when I used to see them at Sudsy Malone's!
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LOVE THIS GROUP!!!!! I found out about theme through a friend of mine that knows theme. Ohio is an awesome cd...
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I'm Entertaining Thoughts of the Trumpet Child! Please Please Please add it!
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Never heard of these guys before... but if they list C.S. Lewis as a key influence, I'm going to have to check them out...
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I agree with angelabdpete r s o n Please add Trumpet Child. It is fantastic!!
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Nice music for suffering, lonely hearts and teary-eyed emotional wrecks like me.
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Please add the Trumpet Child (their newest)... I love that CD! "If you came to make trouble, make me a double, I think it's good."
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I saw these folks way back in the late 80's in St Louis open for Adrian Belew & hadn't heard anything else about them. That made me sad because they were so good! Thanks Pandora for turning me on again!
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I was born and raised in Cincinnati. Many of my friends listened to OTR and I knew most of their music. I haven't listened to them in years and then one day, while listening to Pandora, there they were. I was so excited and fell in love with their music all over again! I took my sister to their 20th Anniversary Concert, in Cincinnati, this past December. She has never listen to their music, but really enjoyed herself and now loves it. They are an amazing band if you can see them live!
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I have a sweet little craving for "Paul and Virginia." Too bad their earlier stuff isn't available on here...
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My friends had always like them, but I didn't think much of them from a couple of songs I heard at first. It wasn't until I went with my friends to see them like at the Ark in Ann Arbor did I discover their brilliance. The songs they play beautifully encompass many different musical style and genre from rock to blues to folk to country. It's hard to find a groups that is able to produce the range of emotions than Over the Rhine.
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A bit like "Sixpence none the richer," with melancholy overtones.
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LOVE and live for their music. It represents real life and real feelings, while performing classics with their own sound. True musicians with the sultry voice of Karyn.
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One of the best bands I have ever felt ... imaginative and expressively canvassed ...
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I attended the band's first Christmas concert at the old Empire having no clue who they were or what kind of music they played. I left that night still not sure what kind of music they played but it hardly mattered, whatever it was - whatever it is - I liked it. Karin's incredible voice, the intelligence of their music, their willingness to explore, and their obvious enjoyment of performing and making music make this band something incredibly special.
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wow - i had never heard of these people before. listening at work and just have to stop and be with the music. listening to this amazing music is making me hate clear channel/synt h e t i c radio soooo much. cannot wait to blue tooth my car so i can have pandora wherever i go.
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