Every few years New York lawyer Andrew Choi changes into
St. Lenox and drops and album that astounds and pleases in equal measure. This is one of those years and June brought
Ten Songs of Worship and Praise for Our Tumultuous Times. Andrew's songwriting reveals a talent for keen observations coupled with intense introspection, expressed in detailed and evocative stories. His lyricism varies between poetic and direct shots to the gut, but swathed in humanity and humor. His vocal delivery is similar to John Darnielle with a nearly gospel vibe, riding a platform of piano arrangements evoking Randy Newman. The themes in this album relate to religion, but not precisely from the perspective of giving worship and praise, despite the title. Rather, Andrew is more concerned about the essential preliminary matters such as level of belief, doubt, and integration into life. I suggest that for many of us, that is the level at which religious thinking resides, for better or worse.
This is gorgeous music suitable for any time of day or night. Will it make my top 50 albums of the year? Yes, it is that good, and certainly just as important, that uplifting.
Ten Songs of Worship and Praise for Our Tumultuous Times is out now via Don Giovanni Records.
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