| O How The Mighty Have Fallen | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 18, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 2005 | |||
| Studio | Roswell East, Nashville, Tennessee | |||
| Genre | Christian alternative rock | |||
| Length | 40:28 | |||
| Label | Galaxy21 | |||
| Producer | Marc Byrd | |||
| The Choir chronology | ||||
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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. [1]
After receiving a Grammy Award nomination in 2002 for Flap Your Wings , [2] along with years of interacting with fans on the Choir’s official website, [3] the band was encouraged to go back into the studio and record another album. This time, the Choir turned over producing duties to Byrd, who had previously worked with lead singer and guitarist Derri Daugherty and drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong on a variety of other musical projects, primarily the City on a Hill worship music series, [4] as well as albums from Glisten, Between Thieves and Byrd’s previous band, Common Children. [5] This was the Choir’s first album in 20 years not co-produced by Daugherty and Hindalong, [6] and the duo’s transition away from producing this album was a natural evolution, according to Hindalong: “We haven’t made a record for five years, but we’ve been in the studio non-stop doing one thing after the other, and so much of the time, Marc’s been a part of our world. So, it [was] no step at all to say, ‘Hey, you be the producer.’ Marc is like a brother to us. He’s ten years younger. We wanted it to be cool, and we respect his sensibility so much.” [5]
Because Byrd shouldered the production duties, Hindalong remarked that his work helped to “bring harmony amongst us all.” [5] Daugherty agreed, saying, “this was definitely the easiest record for me that I’ve done with the Choir. At this point in our career, there are no expectations of anything. We just get to make a record, we go in and make it, we talk about what we want to talk about, and make the music we want to make. We don’t have A&R guy or record company saying ‘Oh, we need a radio hit,’ or ‘We need a remix of this.’ Dan Michaels tries to do that sometimes to us, and then we just get him out of the room.” [7]
"At this point, we don’t make our living off the Choir. I mean, the Choir never paid. It never did. We don’t need it to, now. We’re fortunate to stop and just do this. As long as we’re satisfied with it musically, that’s the only objective."
—Steve Hindalong, discussing O How the Mighty Have Fallen in 2006 [5]
As the band’s main lyricist, Hindalong did not go into this album with any preconceived ideas. [5] The lyrical content of O How the Mighty Have Fallen was described as “comfortable with its own brokenness,” and Hindalong agreed. [6] “The Choir’s always been an open book about our struggle with relationships. So many of the songs have been about my struggle with my wife; it’s been rough for us. We’re still married, but we’re open about that stuff. We’re just flawed, broken, struggling people, and we still have faith and Jesus is still who He is, and He did what He did, and He does what He does.” Hindalong credited the openness of his lyrics to the response of long-time listeners: “It’s very satisfying, the impact that I feel like our songs have had. People carry them in their hearts and there’s something special about our music to individuals. It’s become motivation enough.” [5]
The recording process was more straightforward musically, as Daugherty and Hindalong could focus solely on their own musical contributions. [5] All decisions about the album’s guitar work was left to Daugherty and Byrd, and Hindalong worked on strengthening his own drum performance. [5] “I don’t play the drums much anymore. I mostly produce other guys who play the drums,” he said. “I got to play a lot of the keyboards on the album, which is fun. A drummer getting to play a melodic instrument? ‘I’m a real musician!’” [5]
This is the first Choir album cover to feature a band member's child. Daugherty’s son Chance is presented as the “boy with wings” on the front cover.
O How the Mighty Have Fallen was the first Choir album to be released by Galaxy21, the independent label created by saxophone and Lyricon player Michaels, who also served as the band’s manager. [8] The album was released on April 18, 2005 in the CD format only, and was initially available on the band’s official website. [7] It was later released for digital download on iTunes and is now widely available on various music streaming platforms.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| CCM Magazine | A [9] |
| The Christian Century | Favorable [10] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [11] |
| Hybrid Magazine | Favorable [12] |
| The Phantom Tollbooth |   [13] |
| Somewhere Cold | Favorable [14] |
Reviews for O How The Mighty Have Fallen were mostly positive. Ben Hill, writing for The Phantom Tollbooth, said this was "one of their strongest albums since 1994's Speckled Bird ," and have "proven with this album that they are certainly capable of recapturing the magic of their classic albums while managing to stay innovative." [13] Louis R. Carzolo at The Christian Century agreed, saying that the album "is a sparkling record built on simple but effective pop strengths." [10] He also wrote a more expansive review for CCM Magazine , where he praised the album for being "a joy, solid in its musical, lyrical and thematic execution," and called the band "passionate innovators." He added that without the Choir, "it's possible there would be no Switchfoot, no O.C. Supertones — and beyond SoCal, no sense of how to do Christian rock right." [9]
However, some reviews were more mixed. Matt Crossman at Cross Rhythms complained that the album "rarely accelerated out of second gear. Several tunes could easily have featured at any time in the band's career, and overall feel achingly familiar." [11] This was echoed in the review from Somewhere Cold webzine, with the statement that "the songs on this CD still retain a rather conventional feel," even though "the music is well-arranged, well-produced, and features touching lyrics that speak about a variety of life issues." [14] L. Keane at Hybrid Magazine agreed with the latter statement, saying that O How The Mighty Have Fallen was "a memorable and relatable listening experience," and was "warmly comfortable on first listen, like the homecoming of an old friend who has been too long gone." [12]
All lyrics by Steve Hindalong. All music by Derri Daugherty, unless otherwise noted.
| No. | Title | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "O How the Mighty Have Fallen" | Marc Byrd | 4:37 |
| 2. | "Nobody Gets a Smooth Ride" | Tim Chandler | 4:01 |
| 3. | "She's Alright" | 4:04 | |
| 4. | "Enough to Love" | 4:27 | |
| 5. | "Terrible Mystery" | 4:52 | |
| 6. | "We Give We Take" | Byrd | 3:47 |
| 7. | "Fine Fun Time" | 3:43 | |
| 8. | "How I Wish I Knew" | Byrd | 3:58 |
| 9. | "Mercy Will Prevail" | Byrd, Daugherty, Chandler | 3:38 |
| 10. | "To Rescue Me" | 3:21 | |
| Total length: | 40:28 | ||
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.
Voices in Shadows is the first studio album by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1985.
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.
Neverland Studios is an American recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee owned and operated by musician and songwriter Derri Daugherty. The studio is not connected to Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
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.
Flap Your Wings is the tenth studio release, and ninth full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2000. It earned the band its first Grammy Award nomination.
Love Songs and Prayers: A Retrospective is the first compilation album from Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1995.
City On A Hill is a series of praise and worship music compilations performed by contemporary Christian musicians and produced by Steve Hindalong, Derri Daugherty, and Marc Byrd, who are current members of Christian rock band the Choir. The project includes
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.
de-plumed is the 13th studio release, and 12th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 2010.
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.
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.
