Search - Common Children :: The Inbetween Time

Incredible

Desmond R.G. Underwood Frederick IV | Cypress, TX United States | 04/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Enya can get a top-40 radio hit with "Only Time" and have a top-selling record, then someone mind explaining why "Absence of Light" isn't dominating radio airplay and why so little waves have been made about Common Children in mainstream or even CCM circles? Is it a gender thing? Does Marc Byrd need to be replaced in favor of a slightly frightening and annoyingly-vocaled female front-person? Or is it just another case of the best artists being ignored by the mainstream? With their third release, Common Children does what they do best: make beautiful music. On The Inbetween Time, perhaps the finished product of their musical evolution is showcased. The raw and aggressive Skywire gave way to the still hard-driving but spacily gorgeous Delicate Fade, which was in turn succeeded by the lush, beautiful Inbetween Time. On a first listen, one might be tempted to rate this album of a lesser order. But such temptations are largely because of the fact that the first tune on the album, Absence of Light, is simply so amazing that the rest of the album, good as it may be, fails to eclipse the stellar first track. Further listenings fortunately negate this effect, however. Common Children's last album, Delicate Fade, was quite simply a masterpiece. The Inbetween Time continues in that vein, equalling if not succeeding the beauty of the previous disc. The only complaint that could possibly be brought forth against The Inbetween Time is the lack of incredibly significant change in the band's sound. Although a definite maturation of sound is evident, why mess with the perfection they previously established? Simply put, this album is destined to be one of 2002's best, and perhaps like the previous Delicate Fade, one of the best of the decade."

The Presence of Absence

benjamin | USA | 02/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Inbetween Time" - a title which conjures up medieval theologian's ideas of the secular as the time between Advent and the Second Coming, rather than as a particular space that is separate - divorced - from the realm of sacred space - emerges from and recedes back into the existential night that is, in so many ways, our home. Between spaced-out and feedbacking guitar drones, vocalist/lyricist Marc Byrd and company *live* the realms of gift and loss that embodies their music.It is worth noting that the brightest elements on the album are those that find themselves celebrating a certain community - that of the marriage between Byrd and his wife, Christine Glass. "So Mysterious" and "Always on the Outside" play in and on this ground refreshingly: there is a lightness and ease with which Byrd approaches these topics."Free" is probably the best single-type song; it has the most amazing e-bow solo on it that I have ever heard. Feedbacking and soaring, it dances in the stratosphere truly free over and above the reverb-drenched big muff pi-ed guitars. "I'm free," sings Byrd, "I'm free..." And then, the album begins its slow descent back into the night from which it came."How Many Times" is a genuinely comforting song: "Take your time - I know you need it," Byrd sings over his wife's transcendent and angelic backing vocals. "The Inbetween Time" is, interestingly enough, an instrumental track; what this does or doesn't say, then, about Common Children's understanding of the secular-as-time is anyone's guess. The song is musically inconclusive as it combines various fifth and suspended chords in its musical wanderings; it functions, but lacks a clear sense of direction - much like the secular itself, perhaps?"Redemption", interestingly enough, comes before "Crashing Down", but that may have to do with the fact that "Redemption" is a heavier song spiritually: "I hear the laughter in the songs the wounded sing: the sound of redemption in this broken offering." Byrd never approaches his more spiritual and existential matter lightly, as a certain world-weariness characterizes his vocal delivery in these two songs, in particular. "Crashing Down" returns to the theme of being in a state of suspense: "You're inbetween right now and the season is slowly changing." The song in its final movement moves up towards the light - so distant yet so clearly seen; absence functions, then, as a reminder of presence. The final consummation of the inbetween time whispers and draws closer."

The Inbetween Time

benjamin | 11/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether you're in between jobs, in between relationships, or even just in between classes at school, there's a lost sense of direction--"Where do I go from here? What do I do now?" We live each day suspended between pain, doubt, failure and the unconditional love and grace of God. It is from within the middle of this unsettled vibe that the reformed Common Children created their latest release, The Inbetween Time.Two years after their announced break-up and three years after releasing their last album, Delicate Fade, original members Marc Byrd (lead vocals/guitar), Drew Powel (bass) and Hampton Taliaferro (drums), accompanied by Andrew Thompson (guitar), have joined forces again to explore the stark contrast between dark and light, agony and love, on this their third album.Unlike their aggressive, heavy-footed debut Skywire, Common Children's newest effort finds them swirling in moody atmosphere rather than stomping out pure emotion. The album opener, "Absence of Light," is a song of encouragement that hits struggling believers where they may be cowering, in the shadows. Byrd sings to those who are, "Searching for shelter / From the cold absence of light," telling them, "It's gonna be okay / Just a little bit longer / You will find your way."While The Inbetween Time floats on a steadily rolling wave of low-spirited, Cure-like guitars and big, airy keyboards, there are a few glimpses of upbeat hope and glimmers of bona fide frustration. "Entertaining Angles," the album's first single, soars like a high-flying bird brushing wings with rising spirits. "Celebrity Virtue," a condemnation of those "selling out" in the Christian community, is a mid-album tremor of turmoil that shakes listeners out of their suspended daze.The Inbetween Time does not look or sound like an uplifting album, but to anyone already stuck in the dimness of doubt or pain, Common Children reach out with a handful of heavenly hope."