| de-plumed | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 9, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2010 | |||
| Studio | Sled Dog Studios, Franklin, Tennessee | |||
| Genre | Acoustic rock | |||
| Length | 45:50 | |||
| Label | Galaxy21 | |||
| Producer | Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong | |||
| The Choir chronology | ||||
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de-plumed (full title de-plumed: laid bare, exposed, featherless) is the 13th studio release, and 12th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2010.
On July 24, 2010, the Choir performed a private acoustic concert at saxophone and Lyricon player Dan Michaels' home outside Nashville, Tennessee, for a limited group of fans who had pre-ordered the album as part of the band's top-tier "Package A." [1] [2] [3] Based on the highly positive response to this stripped-down version of the band, lead singer and guitarist Derri Daugherty and drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong decided to tour in support of Burning Like the Midnight Sun as an acoustic duo. [3] "Our following is very devoted," Hindalong said, "so we figured most of them would already have Midnight Sun. Our initial idea was to offer a special new recording exclusively for those audiences, which would be something we could also create relatively quickly. I had recently seen one of our favorite bands, the Church, on a tour where they performed one song from each of their albums in reverse chronological order. It made for a very entertaining show. So that's where we got the idea to reinterpret a song from each of our 12 releases, from 1985 to the present." [3]
The band went into Daugherty’s Sled Dog Studios in Franklin, Tennessee to record the new album, [1] which was the Choir's first attempt at an "unplugged" studio recording. [3] "It is definitely a production challenge to record without bass guitar, ambient electrics or keys," Hindalong said. "We used a bit of glockenspiel for counter-melody." [3] The band also brought in collaborators to assist on the project, including Choir guitarist Marc Byrd's wife, Christy Glass Byrd, to sing harmonies, and Matt Slocum from Sixpence None the Richer to play cello, the latter of which Hindalong claimed was "the best decision we made." [3] [1] Ironically, Hindalong's favorite track on the album was the least adorned: “Love Your Mind,” which featured simply Daugherty and his Gibson J-45 guitar. [3]
Several years before the recording of Burning Like the Midnight Sun, visual artist Ron Lyon – who would later do the artwork for that album – gave Hindalong an art piece, which inspired the title of this album. [3] [1] "In this particular painting, there is a bird and a pair of scissors. I thought, 'stripped down… featherless… de-plumed.' It struck me as a great word to represent an acoustic or 'unplugged' album, and also keep the whole 'bird/flying' theme we’ve perpetuated for years. Plus, the artistic continuity between both albums felt poetic." [3]
de-plumed was released as a digital download on November 4, 2010 on the Choir's official website. The CD was released on November 9, 2010 on both the band’s website and their acoustic tour. It was later released for digital download on iTunes and is now widely available on various music streaming platforms.
Daugherty and Hindalong toured as an acoustic duo in support of this album, playing these tracks and sharing stories from their years together as a band. [4] [5] "It's been great to get out there and share our music this way," Hindalong said. "For the most part, we've played 'home shows,' and we believe our songs come off well in intimate settings. Derri is singing better than ever these days, and I always enjoy getting into my bag of 'percussion tricks,' playing guitar and performing a song or two of my own. It's been satisfying to interact with people on a more personal level. The vulnerability factor is high, to be sure." [3]
The acoustic approach allowed the Choir to perform songs they otherwise had not performed in concert before. "I’ve been surprised by 'Clouds,' from 1987," Hindalong said. "We had never played it in concert because we weren't confident we could pull it off as a live band. But strangely, it feels powerful as a duo. The words keep convicting me. It feels God-breathed, and I'm not one to say that about songs – almost never, really. Other than that, it's different every night." [3] On the tour, some songs from Burning Like the Midnight Sun were performed exclusively at a single venue, like "It Should Have Been Obvious," [6] along with Lost Dogs’ tracks, including "Wicked Guns." [3]
For those unable to attend the live acoustic tour, the band streamed a special live concert from their studio on December 14, 2010, in which viewers could interact with band members. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |   [7] |
| Apple Music | Favorable [8] |
| Down The Line | Favorable [9] |
| HM Magazine | Favorable [5] |
Critical reviews for de-plumed were favorable. Laura Love at Jesus Freak Hideout wrote that "hearing the band stripped down is a special treat. The music is more laid back than fans are used to, but it's never boring." [7] Steve Ruff from Down The Line agreed, and pointed out that "[the Choir] didn’t just sing through these songs with an acoustic guitar. [Steve] Hindalong still handles a well favored and minimal approach to the percussion, and they have also added Matt Slocum on the cello which really embodies the richness of the acoustic melancholy of these songs." [9] Apple Music's editorial review focused on the lyrical content, saying that "heard in this pristine form, the tunes can be more fully appreciated as deeply spiritual and compassionate meditations upon God, love, friendship and loss, told with insight and a touch of humor." [8] Doug Van Pelt, writing for HM Magazine , was the most positive: "Intimate and vulnerable, the simple beauty of de-plumed proves that when you remove the placards of musical trends from each album, what truly remains are melody lines and songs that stand the test of time." [5]
All songs written by Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty, unless otherwise specified.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Originally released on | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dreams" | Voices in Shadows | 3:21 | |
| 2. | "15 Doors" | Shades of Gray | 2:31 | |
| 3. | "Black Cloud" | Hindalong, Daugherty, Charlie Peacock | Diamonds and Rain | 3:44 |
| 4. | "Clouds" | Hindalong, Daugherty, Steve Griffith | Chase the Kangaroo | 4:19 |
| 5. | "To Bid Farewell" | Wide-Eyed Wonder | 3:35 | |
| 6. | "A Sentimental Song" | Circle Slide | 4:47 | |
| 7. | "Love Your Mind" | Hindalong, Daugherty, Tim Chandler | Kissers and Killers | 4:26 |
| 8. | "Spring" | Hindalong, Daugherty, Chandler | Speckled Bird | 3:55 |
| 9. | "Leprechaun" | Hindalong, Daugherty, Chandler | Free Flying Soul | 2:40 |
| 10. | "Hey Gene" | Hindalong, Daugherty, Dan Michaels | Flap Your Wings | 3:32 |
| 11. | "Enough To Love" | O How the Mighty Have Fallen | 4:06 | |
| 12. | "A Friend So Kind" | Burning Like the Midnight Sun | 4:54 | |
| Total length: | 45:50 | |||
The Choir
Additional musicians
Production
The Choir is an atmospheric Christian alternative rock band currently comprising Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums, and Dan Michaels on saxophone and lyricon. Long-time bassist Tim Chandler died in 2018, and guitarist Marc Byrd was the fifth member of the band between 2005–2014. As of 2023, the band has released 16 full-length studio albums, three EPs, five live albums, one single-disc compilation, one retrospective box set, and is still actively recording new material.
In the Company of Angels is a studio album from Caedmon's Call released in the United States on September 25, 2001 through Essential Records. This more than any other previous album by this band features songs of worship.
Shades of Gray is the second studio release, and first EP, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1986. All five songs were later included as bonus tracks on the CD release for Chase the Kangaroo.
Diamonds and Rain is the third studio release, and second full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1986. It is the first release under the band's new moniker after dropping "Youth" from their name.
Chase the Kangaroo is the fourth studio release, and third full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1988. Considered by critics to be one of their finest albums, Chase the Kangaroo is listed at No. 50 in the book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, published in 2002, and No. 4 on the list of the "Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time" by HM Magazine in 2010.
Circle Slide is the sixth studio release, and fifth full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1990. Considered by some critics to be the band's best album, and even called "one of the best Christian albums ever made," Circle Slide was listed at No. 53 in the book CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. This would be the final album the Choir would record for Myrrh Records.
Kissers and Killers is the seventh studio release, and the sixth full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1993. It was their first release after leaving Myrrh Records, and according to drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong, represented a major turning point for the band: "We went independent after this, and never were on a label where there were expectations of any kind of a 'ministry' or anything like that."
Speckled Bird is the eighth studio release, and seventh full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1994. The album is largely a remixed and reworked version of the independent Kissers and Killers project with an additional five tracks.
Free Flying Soul is the ninth studio release, and eighth full-length album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1996. It earned the band its first industry recognition with a Dove Award win.
O How The Mighty Have Fallen is the 11th studio release, and tenth full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2005. Guitarist Marc Byrd officially became the fifth member of the band with this album.
Mutt is an album by the band Lost Dogs, released on Fools of the World and Lo-Fidelity Records in 2004.
Island Dreams is an instrumental album by roots music band Lost Dogs, released on Fools of the World records in 2005.
Wide-Eyed Wonder is the fifth studio release, and fourth full-length studio album, from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1989. This would be the first studio album with new bass guitarist Robin Spurs, and would mark the band's first attempt to cross over to the mainstream market.
Burning Like the Midnight Sun is the 12th studio release, and 11th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2010.
Old Angel is a studio album by the roots music band Lost Dogs. It was released in 2010 on Fools of the World and Stunt Records. The songs were composed by the band while traveling down Route 66 in 2009, and recorded in Nashville.
The Loudest Sound Ever Heard is the 14th studio release, and 13th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2012.
Peace, Love & Light is the 15th studio release, second EP, and first digital-only album by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on November 27, 2013. This is also the band's first Christmas-themed release. As a "stretch goal" in the Choir's Kickstarter campaign for their 2014 album Shadow Weaver, this EP was provided exclusively to funders who pledged $60 or more.
Shadow Weaver is the 16th studio release, and 14th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on April 9, 2014. This album was funded by the band's original Kickstarter campaign launched in late 2013, which also generated the band's first Christmas release Peace, Love & Light. This was also the last studio album from the Choir to feature Marc Byrd.
Bloodshot is the 17th studio release, and 15th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on June 1, 2018. This album was funded by the band's PledgeMusic campaign launched in January 2017, which also generated a remastered and reissued release of Wide-Eyed Wonder.
Deep Cuts is the 18th studio release, and 16th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on April 23, 2021. This album was funded by the band's Kickstarter campaign launched in February 2020, and was their first album of new material without contributions from long-time bassist Tim Chandler, who died in 2018; bass duties were split between session player Chris Donohue and bassist Steven Mason from Jars of Clay. The double-disc vinyl version includes five additional tracks that were previously released as digital singles in 2019 and 2020.
