Search - Caedmon's Call :: Long Line of Leavers

Aileen R. (aileen) from N HOLLYWOOD, CA
Reviewed on 6/14/2008...

You'll find nothing here to dispel the notion that Caedmon's Call is one of the up-and-comers of the Christian music world. Long Line of Leavers, while perhaps not as strong as its brilliant predecessor (40 Acres), shows us a maturing band whose recording process now fully employs Caedmon's ensemble prowess. "Prepare Ye the Way" and "Valley" chronicle the fact, melting the vocals of husband-and-wife duo Cliff and Danielle Young into the acoustic-oriented folk rock for which the band is known so well. Derek Webb continues to prove himself one of the genre's finest writers here with the wonderfully moving "Dance" and the energetic "What You Want." Not to be outdone, Aaron Tate, the only member of the band who does not sing or play, offers songwriting gems in "Prove Me Wrong" and the aforementioned "Valley." Caedmon's Call clearly understand their strengths (songwriting and ensemble performance) and showcase them well in this worthy third release.

--Michael Lyttle (Amazon.com)

Growth is good!

Kristen Stewart | Under the Mountain | 11/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Showing a wider range of influences than ever before, Long Line of Leavers (Essential) fully displays the immense talent of Caedmon's Call. The album smoothly rides from soaring folk ballads to southern rock with pleasantly unexpected twists along the way.As usual, the tenth Caedmon's project strength lies in strong songwriting and vocal diversity. "Non-touring" member Aaron Tate supplies several songs, as does guitarist Derek Webb. Producer Ed Cash contributed a vulnerable, haunting song entitled "Masquerade." I never tire of listening to Caedmon's because three members, Webb and new parents Cliff and Danielle Young, share lead vocalist duties. I also enjoy the depth of the band. Few "folk-rock" bands include two percussionists and a keyboard/organist alongside the standard two guitars and bassist. A few things are obvious from a first listen-they've expanded their collective CD collections past Toad the Wet Sprocket and the Indigo Girls and the typically lamenting Derek Webb has found love. Girls, it's true, Webb's engaged to singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken. Songs like "Love is Different" stand in stark contrast to his usual single musings, as he declares, "Maybe you're the dream I'm wakin' from / `Cause I see you everywhere I go / Darlin' you are such a mystery to me, you know." One thing that's stayed the same is the lyrical appeal to college-aged fans. The first song documents the difficulty Christians can have with the metaphor of God as lover. "I expect and I believe that / You're gonna run out of love / You're gonna give me the shove / `cause that's the thing that lovers do / then there's You."Another track destined to become a collegiate favorite is "Valleys Fill First." "My friends up above me / don't understand why I struggle like I do ... Down in the valley / It seems that I'm at my worst / My consolation is that you've baptized this earth / Well down in the valley / Valleys fill first."Because of the strength of each song, my favorite track changes by the day, but today I relate to the wavering soul in "Prove Me Wrong" pleading "Keep me still until the day You / Cast down my doubts / Please prove me wrong / `Cause these demon's can be so strong." A few of the songs may be familiar to fans. "Piece of Glass" was featured on the Intimate Portrait enhanced CD and the third track, "Prepare Ye the Way," is a cover of an old John Michael Talbot favorite.I applaud the development of Caedmon's sound in Long Line of Leavers. It took guts, and I think it's really paid off. Though "Mistake of My Life" is about Derek moving to Nashville to be near Sandra, I think it could apply to the band stepping out on a limb with this album, "once [they've] gone [they] cannot look back / [they've] got to trust this is right." The risk was well worth it."

Long Line of Talent

Roy Davis | Canada | 12/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Caedmon's Call equals talent. Pure and unwavering talent. And there's a lot of it. With an ensemble of 7 band members Caedmon's Call is BIG on sound. While their last album produced a sequence of lulling, country ladden overtones, "Long Line of Leavers" shows the band exploring some new territory along the lines of guitar pop (think Sixpence None the Richer), anthemic praise and worship and even classical. Yet, their quality never loses it's charictaristic smoothness or originality. The album contains a lot of song contribution and co-writing from old pal and co-founder Aaron Taite, who has helped fuel the bands success from the beginning. With songs like "Prepare Ye The Way", "Mistake Of My Life" and "Can't Lose You", Long Line Of Leavers is a guaranteed success, that has something for everyone. Lyrically brilliant and sonically sensational this one's a keeper!"