Ineloquent

Album: Seeing Things Your Way
by Kevan Breitinger

Indie band The Ineloquent is fronted by a Colorado couple, Georgiana Eakins from San Francisco and Daniel Eakins from Boulder. Pablo Calderon from Houston and Isaac Elgard from Minneapolis make up the difference in the artful quartet who thrive on unique expression of Biblical worship. The band’s moniker is based on their belief that without God in their lives, they have nothing to say. Gotta say, I love that perspective. The good news is that their brand of indie folk-rock is equally impressive.

Their 5 song EP "Gravity" of 2006 is still featured prominently on my iPod; their first full length album, Seeing Things Your Way, dropped this past October (2008). I found it to be not quite as distinctive as the EP, but still delightful. Immediately noticeable is the magic of the two Eakins’ vocal pairing. Georgiana quickly brings Leigh Nash to mind with her sweet, breathy vocals (almost channeling her on the potent closer “Temporary Me”), and their harmonies are nothing short of exquisite. Their writing chops are just as tight, and are supported by superb musicianship across the board. Like I said, a lot to like about Seeing Things Your Way.

Atmospheric elegance is the defining quality of The Ineloquent, showing up immediately on the opening “Prelude,” and flowing nicely into the folk/pop rhythms of “No Angels.” Take note of the throbbing duet of “Covered in Christ,” celebrating the “Lamb’s redeeming blood.” All 13 tracks of Seeing Things Your Way are prominently Word-oriented, a trait that I greatly enjoy. “Calvary,” a hymn unfamiliar to me, is given an earthy arrangement and delivered with haunting sensitivity, while delicate strings adorn the lovely “Vanity.” “107” shares the personal story of Dan Eakins’ father’s passing, its note-bending moments powerfully expressing an authentic sense of loss.

The album builds as it progresses, the last three tracks packing great closing punch. Georgiana’s pulsating piano ballad “Wake Me” yearns for meaningful encounter, and pop rocker “The Question” contains the soulful query of the year:

“The question is not how you could allow
Bad things to happen to good people
The question is how you could allow
Good things to happen to bad people
Bad people, yeah, people like me.”

And if that doesn’t win you over, consider the mournful cello of “Temporary Me,” deeply worshipful in its truthfulness. Actually, The Ineloquent is anything but.
- Kevan Breitinger