February 20, 2009

The Innocence Mission | “Tomorrow on the Runway”

ART OF SONG
“Tomorrow on the Runway”
The Innocence Mission
Befriended
2003 | Badman Recording Co.

Couple Don and Karen Peris have recorded as the Innocence Mission sporadically since 1989 releasing only nine albums within two decades. Following the departure of decade-long drummer Matt Brown, the three piece took an even quieter, more intimate approach, giving the trio its own sound – sounding less like an opener for 10,000 Maniacs – with rich acoustic rhythms, minimal percussion and clean electric guitar smothered in reverb.

2003’s flawless Befriended displays the band fully at ease with their sound. “Tomorrow on the Runway” is the album’s opener and is the strongest song on a solid record. A single string note rises, followed by a mid-tempo down-tuned acoustic strum. Over this is the soft, sometimes off-key voice of Karen Peris whose always beautiful lyrics should be collected. The story of an individual lost but on the cusp of a spiritual clearing begins with a quiet prayer, “Old days, don’t come to find me / the sun is just about to climb up over there.” Underneath are sparsely plucked notes, mimicking tadpoles rippling water. The song exists peacefully with the uplifting lyric “on the leaf-bright Friday drive / sudden horses at the red light, turn around, see clearer ways to go now.” With songs always invoking winter, this is a wonderful song for a crisp morning.