Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Rachel - Sing To Your Mountain

8/27/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
Rachel

Sing To Your Mountain
Great Comfort Records; 2015

4.0 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM


By Jamie Robash

After hearing the first few melodic folk based paeans on Sing To Your Mountain, the debut solo record by Rachel (Smith) Galloway who performs under the pious moniker Rachel, you will have to rethink your take on religious music. I was born and raised Catholic, was educated in Catholic schools and attended church at least twice a week for the first eighteen years of my life. During that time I sang in the choir and of course sang during mass. Over the years I was exposed to various Christian musical acts and artists, some of them better than others, though most all of them overarching and preachy.

But that was long ago and far away. And although those overbearing fire and brimstone spewing artists still exist, so now do artists such as Rachel.  Rachel grew up in a family of people who loved to sing and play instruments. Her father is Lenny Smith, a world-renowned gospel singer and the man who penned the worship song known the world over, "Our God Reigns." Rachel and her siblings, led by her brother Daniel, are also known for staffing various entities of the indie gospel-pop outfit Danielson, who have collaborated and played with indie folk demigod Sufjan Stevens.

What sets Sing To Your Mountain apart from other faith-based records is that its songs, though steeped in religious themes and images, in no way come across as “preachy.” Rachel’s lyrics may deal with the typical themes of praising, using much of the nomenclature generally associated with Christian themed music, but her vocals are soft and angelic, and they are delivered as a conversation between herself and the Lord, so they are not coming down the mountain at the listener, but rather rising upwards, and exist on their way there for anyone who cares to listen.

It is for the listeners themselves to decide what exactly they will take away from these songs. The best of them, “The Lamp” and  “Southern Paws” to name just a few, camouflage the Christian word play so well that one would be hard pressed to categorize them in the vein of solely Christian music. This may not be what Rachel had intended though it speaks to her abilities as a songwriter and lyricist.

Given the pool of musicians and vocalists Rachel has backing her on Sing to Your Mountain, and the fact that these songs are touted as “a collection of love songs and worship to the Lord” I was expecting to hear tracks with a bit more power, a bit more praise. Though as a whole, Sing to Your Mountain is an excellent offering in a genre that often falls short of making an impact on an audience outside of the faithful. 
Become A Fan
official website
2 Comments
Walt
8/27/2015 03:35:07 am

I agree with jamie - you don't have to be religious to enjoy this

Reply
Lenny Smith link
12/3/2016 01:14:13 pm

Rachel really is a sweet as she sounds. She actually has a heart of gold. I should know :) Lennydad

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact