Similar to the early artistic pursuits of Caedmon's Call or Jars of Clay, Dubuque, Iowa's The Ineloquent has a knack for earthy acoustic pop and a yearning to reach the college crowd. The foursome—one female, three males—frequently plays at both secular and religious colleges, presenting a spiritually grounded but never preachy message of redemption.
"Heavenly Country," reminiscent of Caedmon's Call or Vertical Horizon, addresses our eternal inheritance. They also grapple with everything from pride on the sparse "Vanity" to fostering a healthy self-image in "Temporary Me," akin to Sixpence None the Richer.
Though the group is clearly on the right track, it cuts some corners on production and recycles some of the same concepts, including many references to the crucifixion. But with a bigger budget and additional life experiences to weave into words, I would expect The Ineloquent to be one to watch.
More: myspace.com/theineloquent
4 Stars
Style: singer/songwriter pop; Matthew West, Mark Schultz, Jason Mraz
In a nutshell: Brisk strumming, lively vocals and fast-paced storytelling make for an engaging debut EP. "No Superhero" is a standout anthem for the average guy, cleverly comparing Superman's strength to God's overriding glory.
More: myspace.com/mattarchibaldmusic
3.5 Stars
Style: classical/easy listening; Jim Brickman and classical pianists
In a nutshell: Korean pianist Ariel Gilley demonstrates awe-inspiring skill on this five-movement sonata. Besides a traditional classical direction, the disc explores easy listening, new age and even Gaelic folk.
More: jrirecordings.com
3 Stars
Style: folk; Peter, Paul & Mary, Joan Baez, Kingston Trio, The Weavers
In a nutshell: Hailing from Woodstock, New York, there's a noticeable hippie undercurrent in Faithful Folk's acoustic instrumentation. While downright dated at times, those seeking for a spiritual alternative to the 1960s protest movement might enjoy this.
More: faithfulfolk.org.
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