Share the Well (CD - 2004)

Caedmon's Call: Cliff Young (vocals, acoustic guitar); Danielle Young (vocals); Joshua Moore (guitar, accordion, harmonium, Hammond b-3 organ, bass guitar, percussion, background vocals); Andrew Osenga (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro, keyboard bass, drums, background vocals); Jeff Miller (bass guitar); Todd Bragg (drums, surdo, tambour); Garett Buell (congas, bongos, cajon drums, djembe, tabla).

Additional personnel: Joseph D'Souza.

As with Sixpence None the Richer and Jars of Clay, listeners might not catch the religious undertones of Caedmon's Call. It's not that there's a thread of stealth in the lyrics; while they don't force the name of God into their poetry, it flows out naturally via the band's overwhelming faith. Rather, the artistry of the group is so lush and distracting that even those distrustful of the message may be lulled into the ensemble's warm compositions and compelling stories.

Caedmon's Call's sixth record, SHARE THE WELL, finds the Texan band incorporating a distinct Eastern flair, heavy on strings and percussion, into their folk-rock, while retaining a balance of humor and earnest reflection, kind of a cross between Rusted Root and Barenaked Ladies. The joyous tracks range from the Jackson Browne-esque "International Love Song" to the frolicsome silliness of "Volcanoland." When the seven-piece group gets serious, however, the results are stunning works of luxurious languor like "All I Need (I Did Not Catch Her Name)" and the enchanting tale of "The Roses." Caedmon's Call is one of the most intriguing bands in the Contemporary Christian Music universe, and SHARE THE WELL continues their legacy. minimize