[video=youtube_share;ANTORC3lVGw]http://youtu.be/ANTORC3lVGw[/video]
Wovenhand is a hard-to-describe band formed by David Eugene Edwards, former frontman of the secular band 16 Horsepower, which was an almost equally indescribable form of underground indie rock. he dissolved 16hp in 2005 over "political and spiritual" differences and Wovenhand was born immediately after as an outlet for the deeply spiritual music that D.E.E. had been writing, an odd mix of bar-room rock, folk, gospel and Native American rhythms and mysticism. D.E.E. said once in an interview that he was "amazed that anyone would want to play with him" given how obviously religious his lyrics are compared to the secular tone of the music, but i'm sure his bandmates are equally amazed at this humility.
Wovenhand's newest album 'Refractory Obdurate' is a little louder and harsher than previous albums, but this isn't a departure by any means from the direction the band has taken on the last two albums, Threshing Floor and Laughing Stalk. between jangling, sometimes frenetic rock are rolling ballads and quiet interludes. as a whole the mix of genres manages a coherent unity out of a grab-bag of neo-folk, grunge, world-beat, hard rock and eclectic singer-songwriter sounds.
the soundscape itself, like all Wovenhand's work, bears the unmistakable influence of D.E.E.'s Native American heritage and the wide open spaces of the western US.
lyrically this album is full of praise and mystic, insightful, poetic reflections of Christ, sometimes joyful - "mercy in the land!" he shouts on Corsicana Clip, and the song My Good Shepherd consists of little else but rejoicing in the delight He takes in us. but it is not all peace and joy -- there is scathing rejection of hyper-legalism and arguments against Christian rock in the ballad Salome - the woman who chastised David for dancing before the Lord. Wovenhand, as David, refuses to be told not to dance. the result is a brilliant set of songs that are approachable and enjoyable on many levels to people who aren't familiar with his music or his lyrical themes, and thoroughly satisfying, elating and thought-provoking to long-time fans. scattered throughout are references to scripture, both oblique and obvious, and no one reading through the lyric booklet can be left with a doubt that this is music by Christians, for Christians and about and for Christ - but at the same time, the unique cross-genre Americana is sure to interest secular music lovers in a way that no cookie-cutter CCM ever could.
a real gem of a band, and a solid record. i don't think this release is as powerful and engaging in it's entirety as some of his previous albums, but it is certainly not a disappointment in any way. a field with pearls like those hidden in here is well worth buying.
