10,000 Maniacs - In My Tribe

10,000 Maniacs's breakthrough album and creative high point, In My Tribe offers a survey of social concerns, including child abuse ("What's the Matter Here"), illiteracy ("Cherry Tree"), war ("Gun Shy"), and the environment ("Campfire Song") -- all tackled subtly and tastefully without too much preaching or pretension and in believable, real-life situations. Producer Peter Asher, whose credits include James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, provides the perfect sheen -- the group's pleasant folk-pop lends itself nicely to the '70s-styled singer/songwriter production. In the end, the album proves powerful not for the ideas (they've been covered before) but rather for the graceful execution and pure listenability. In My Tribe has served as one of the soundtracks for P.C. living and was required listening on college campuses in the late '80s. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bob Magnusson Bass David Campbell String Arrangements Dennis Drew Keyboards Dennis Karmazyn Cello Don Grolnick Piano Doug Sax Mastering Duane Seykora Assistant Engineer Edd Kolakowski Assistant Producer Frank Wolf Mixing George Massenburg Mixing, Engineer Jerome Augustyniak Percussion, Drums Kosh Cover Design, Art Direction, Design Michael Stipe Vocals Mike Reese Mastering Natalie Merchant Vocals Novi Viola Paul Dieter Technician Peter Asher Producer Richard Buck Mandolin, Guitar (Steel), Guitar Robert Buck Guitar, Mandolin, Guitar (Steel), Pedal Steel Sharon Rice Engineer Shep Lonsdale Assistant Engineer Steve Gustafson Guitar (Bass)