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The Innocence Mission — Today
Album: Small Planes
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1198









Released: 2001
Length: 3:35
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Into the traffic changing,
a good friend I have had.
Today, today his leaving
makes me sad.

My friend is starting over.
There is a trembling.
Today, today is trembling
through the trees.

If you see him there on your street
will you smile or shake his hand?
Today, today,
the brotherhood of man.
Comments (112)add comment
I bought their debut album when I heard Black Sheep Wall on WHFS when I lived in the DC area. I saw them at the original 9:30 Club.  Excellent. 
Posted 1 year ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
Hearing a lot of Edie Brickell
Posted 2 years ago by rtrt    [ Reply ]
Good tune! I never heard of them before. Thanx RP! ...They are from a town with a huge Amish population!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 theecstasyofhistory613 wrote:
I saw them that same year at a little coffee shop in Southern California. A local radio station organized the show the day after they played in LA. They got stuck in traffic (of course) and looked exhausted, but played an amazing set for about 15 people. 
 
Do you remember which radio station? I was posted in Southern California at the time, and haunting the coffeehouses around LA.
Posted 3 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
 reindeer wrote:
One of my all time favorite songs performed by one of my all time favorite bands.
I saw them perform at the Hatch Shell in Boston during their Bright As Yellow tour, and they were magical.
Something about their sound and the love that they put into their songs just makes it for me, and takes me back to that wonderful Spring day in 1996.

Thank you Bill and Rebecca.  This song really hit the spot tonight.
 

I saw them that same year at a little coffee shop in Southern California. A local radio station organized the show the day after they played in LA. They got stuck in traffic (of course) and looked exhausted, but played an amazing set for about 15 people. 
Posted 5 years ago by theecstasyofhistory613    [ Reply ]
 ScottN wrote:
Great  name for a band....here playing a nice but unremarkable song.  I understand they've broken up.  That's a shame.

 
Your post made me check, because I didn't think they had - I thought they took a hiatus at some point, but it seems even that is wrong. Even though I was a very early fan (from the time their first record was released in '89), I've missed a lot of their music over the years. They have a new record this year.

http://theinnocencemission.com

Also re: Sundays comparisons, these two bands emerged simultaneously. They have a lot of similarities but the Sundays have always seemed  more muscular to me, especially once IM lost their drummer. 


Posted 6 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
This is mellow.  I like it.
Posted 6 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
One of my all time favorite songs performed by one of my all time favorite bands.
I saw them perform at the Hatch Shell in Boston during their Bright As Yellow tour, and they were magical.
Something about their sound and the love that they put into their songs just makes it for me, and takes me back to that wonderful Spring day in 1996.

Thank you Bill and Rebecca.  This song really hit the spot tonight.
Posted 7 years ago by reindeer    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite RP finds...
Posted 7 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Agreed. Lovely song. 
Posted 8 years ago by rbigelo    [ Reply ]
Love this!
Posted 9 years ago by haroldlooney    [ Reply ]
Really cool
Posted 9 years ago by mksupersessions    [ Reply ]
Just simply a lovely song, 8+.
Posted 11 years ago by crogers    [ Reply ]
sounds a lot like the Sundays....
Posted 11 years ago by rromulus    [ Reply ]
Love this. You can really tell when all the performers are in tune with each other. But please, follow this with Mary Ramsey instead of Pat Metheny.
Posted 11 years ago by stargazer1    [ Reply ]
 Egrey wrote:
Listening to the Innocence Mission makes me want to be near a fireplace drinking hot tea.  Am I alone in this regard?
 

If you only make one cup of tea, then I imagine you are.
Posted 11 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

The first thing I ever bought by them was "Glow" - I still have it on cassette, but plan to get the CD soon.  Here's a link:  Glow
 
Cool link...  I like this song a lot...

miss you, Cynaera... 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Great  name for a band....here playing a nice but unremarkable song.  I understand they've broken up.  That's a shame.
Posted 12 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
 Egrey wrote:
Listening to the Innocence Mission makes me want to be near a fireplace drinking hot tea.  Am I alone in this regard?
 
It makes me want to frolic though a meadow, picking wildflowers.
Posted 12 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
Her voice would be subjective thing for a lot of people, but I have loved it since I first heard of this band way back when... I guess the Glow album.... it always seems to make me pause and listen whenever I hear any of their songs.


Posted 12 years ago by Phototrekker    [ Reply ]
Listening to the Innocence Mission makes me want to be near a fireplace drinking hot tea.  Am I alone in this regard?
Posted 12 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
 panlad wrote:

I really love this album and Befriended, the album that contains Mac.  They are both excellent.  This particular song is very reminiscent of The Sundays with the sweeping guitars and reverb, but not really representative of The Innocence Mission sound as a whole.  I also think that Harriet Wheeler's voice although similar in timbre, is very distinctive from Karen's voice.  Not to mention the differences in style and phrasing.  Also, The Innocence Mission's lyrics can be very spiritual.  But I digress...  Take a chance, I'm sure you will not be disappointed!
 
I've said it before on these boards, but I believe it's more like the Sundays are a bit reminiscent of The Innocence Mission. Interesting you would comment on the spiritual nature of Karen and Don's music. They are devout Catholics and products of Catholic school, although the music is not "religious" as such. They are lovely people who make lovely music.

Posted 13 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:

The only other song I have heard from this band is “When Mac Was Swimming” and I’ve fallen in love with that tune.  I also like the sound of this track so it time to get an album from the band. Any suggestions as to what Innocence Mission album it would be good to start with?

 
I really love this album and Befriended, the album that contains Mac.  They are both excellent.  This particular song is very reminiscent of The Sundays with the sweeping guitars and reverb, but not really representative of The Innocence Mission sound as a whole.  I also think that Harriet Wheeler's voice although similar in timbre, is very distinctive from Karen's voice.  Not to mention the differences in style and phrasing.  Also, The Innocence Mission's lyrics can be very spiritual.  But I digress...  Take a chance, I'm sure you will not be disappointed!
Posted 13 years ago by panlad    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:

The only other song I have heard from this band is “When Mac Was Swimming” and I’ve fallen in love with that tune.  I also like the sound of this track so it time to get an album from the band. Any suggestions as to what Innocence Mission album it would be good to start with?


 
The first thing I ever bought by them was "Glow" - I still have it on cassette, but plan to get the CD soon.  Here's a link:  Glow


Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
i miss the innocence mission. I love their music.
Posted 13 years ago by mem_313    [ Reply ]

The only other song I have heard from this band is “When Mac Was Swimming” and I’ve fallen in love with that tune.  I also like the sound of this track so it time to get an album from the band. Any suggestions as to what Innocence Mission album it would be good to start with?


Posted 14 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
 sounds like Cyndi Lauper!
Posted 14 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
oh that it good. thought it was Edie Brickell at first.
Posted 14 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
I noticed you don't have a release date for this album. It was released in 2001. Good sounds. Thanks for playing.
Posted 14 years ago by surfergirlsc    [ Reply ]
Also expecting The Sundays. Lovely. 
Posted 14 years ago by juniorelvis    [ Reply ]
 Kdubba wrote:
Sundays anyone?
 
Vocals are definitely similar.

Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
I love her childlike voice!
 
,,funny you should say that,,I must have a hearing problem,
many of the female voices added to the mix past couple
of years just makes my head hurt.{#Headache}

Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
Wonderful! {#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Yea, like others, I had to check who this was expecting it to be the Sundays.  
Posted 15 years ago by mfassett    [ Reply ]
Nice transition from "A Pillow of Winds" to this one.
Posted 15 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
 ladron wrote:

The Sundays comparison is spot on - I thought of them the instant the vocals on this song started.
 
Me too. Could it be the same singer? Nah...

Posted 15 years ago by PeorgieTirebiter    [ Reply ]
This band is as close as I come to a spiritual experience with music.  It touches my soul in a way that I can't express.  Thank you Bill and Rebecca.

Posted 15 years ago by reindeer    [ Reply ]
 TJS wrote:
it's the closest thing to the Sundays I've heard.  They are great in concert too.

 
The Sundays comparison is spot on - I thought of them the instant the vocals on this song started.

Posted 15 years ago by ladron    [ Reply ]
it's the closest thing to the Sundays I've heard.  They are great in concert too.

Posted 16 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
I love her childlike voice!
Posted 16 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
...sweet! And good! Certainly!
Posted 16 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
quality! reminds me of the sundays at their peak, ie the first album, especially her voice
Posted 16 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
tinybubbles wrote:
same here!
OMG yes. I LOVE the Innocence Mission. Please, play more! : )
Posted 16 years ago by reindeer    [ Reply ]
brownbrown wrote:
one of my favorite groups of all time...
same here!
Posted 16 years ago by tinybubbles    [ Reply ]
one of my favorite groups of all time...
Posted 17 years ago by brownbrown    [ Reply ]
I love these guys.
Posted 17 years ago by sukilau    [ Reply ]
smooth and very cool song... :)
Posted 17 years ago by benhurweb    [ Reply ]
do they ever play in the nyc area?
Posted 17 years ago by jpm9678    [ Reply ]
Shesdifferent wrote:
When Mac was swimming has to be from the same album. Gotta get this CD!
"Mac" is on the album Befriended.
Posted 17 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
This is pretty good. I like the Sundays, too.
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
Sundays anyone?
Posted 17 years ago by Kdubba    [ Reply ]
When Mac was swimming has to be from the same album. Gotta get this CD!
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Beautiful! I often walk into CD stores and draw a complete blank - I must remember this band next time. I could listen to her voice all day.
Posted 17 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
So pretty. Made me stop and gaze out the window and listen.
Posted 17 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
lovely
Posted 17 years ago by lnostdal    [ Reply ]
I've been an Innocence Mission fan for over ten years, and have met Karen (vocals) and Don (guitar) through common friends in their hometown... of Lancaster, PA. Their art reveals the sensitivity of their hearts to human experience, and so I know the band members are affected by the recent tragedy in their neighborhood. For those so inclined, let's send some prayers in their direction... Thanks for heart-music, RP!
Posted 18 years ago by Hootie    [ Reply ]
KSTrillian wrote:
I like it. At first I couldn't place what the voice sounded like, it does remind me a little of Mazzy Star but this voice is "brighter." Then I figured it out: Empire Records Soundtrack, don't know who sings the song but it's called "Yellow" and I always liked that song a lot.
Oh funny! I was too curious and looked it up and it IS this group! The title is "Bright as Yellow"
Posted 18 years ago by KSTrillian    [ Reply ]
Karen's voice is like cool water on a hot day...just washes over you and soothes your spirit. Just wonderful...
Posted 18 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
I like it. At first I couldn't place what the voice sounded like, it does remind me a little of Mazzy Star but this voice is "brighter." Then I figured it out: Empire Records Soundtrack, don't know who sings the song but it's called "Yellow" and I always liked that song a lot.
Posted 18 years ago by KSTrillian    [ Reply ]
Pretty damn nice!
Posted 18 years ago by highwindows    [ Reply ]
brandog wrote:
Simply exquisite - Harriet Wheeler eat your heart out - in a good way, I mean. :)
I thought this was Harriet Wheeler when I first heard it. Thought this might be a side-project of hers...
Posted 18 years ago by RayRay    [ Reply ]
Lovely voice
Posted 18 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
trekhead wrote:
Tanya Torrini? Emilliana Donnelly? Whatever! Good stuff!!! 8.
Nope. Just eeked up to 10. Sublime.
Posted 18 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Vocals are almost a little too cute for my tastes, but the rest of the arrangement provides just enough edge to compensate. Nice.
Posted 18 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Christo4 wrote:
Yesterday, upon my return from a long trip I find that a treasured friend is soon moving to another country. He's moving for a dream job and the adventure of living abroad. Hearing the news I wanted to echo his excitement and optimism, but as the news met my ear, my heart broke a little. I will miss him greatly. This song is an echo of my best hope for him, that when he reaches his destination may he be received with the same warmth and friendship that those of us that remain behind tender to his departure. Today Into the traffic changing, a good friend I have had. Today, today his leaving makes me sad. My friend is starting over. There is a trembling. Today, today is trembling through the trees. If you see him there on your street will you smile or shake his hand? Today, today, the brotherhood of man.
Very well put. I had a similar experience when I heard a friend of mine had to move to China (she is Chinese) as per her parents' wishes (to train in accupuncture. Seriously). I had just found this, my first, IM song and gave it to her to express how i was feeling. So, I hear ya, Christo4.
Posted 18 years ago by dolfan    [ Reply ]
David Grey through Innocence Mission...Congrats to RP on a wonderful block of songs. Yet another reason why I support the station!
Posted 19 years ago by Egrey    [ Reply ]
Melodic, flowing. Cool guitar hook.
Posted 19 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Everyone mentions the Sundays, but I hear Mazzy Star.
Posted 19 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Yesterday, upon my return from a long trip I find that a treasured friend is soon moving to another country. He's moving for a dream job and the adventure of living abroad. Hearing the news I wanted to echo his excitement and optimism, but as the news met my ear, my heart broke a little. I will miss him greatly. This song is an echo of my best hope for him, that when he reaches his destination may he be received with the same warmth and friendship that those of us that remain behind tender to his departure. Today Into the traffic changing, a good friend I have had. Today, today his leaving makes me sad. My friend is starting over. There is a trembling. Today, today is trembling through the trees. If you see him there on your street will you smile or shake his hand? Today, today, the brotherhood of man.
Posted 19 years ago by Christo4    [ Reply ]
brandog wrote:
Simply exquisite - Harriet Wheeler eat your heart out - in a good way, I mean. :)
This sounds a lot like her actually. Or maybe that's what you're saying. :-)
Posted 19 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Juliana Hatfield, whom I love even more.
Posted 19 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
Tanya Torrini? Emilliana Donnelly? Whatever! Good stuff!!! 8.
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
alniebel wrote:
What ever happened to these guys? They are fantastic!
it seems they just kept on quietly producing wonderful music.
Posted 19 years ago by cjg    [ Reply ]
Cambot wrote:
Music your girlfriend likes.
Confirming that she has fabulous taste, too.
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
album cover photo is perfect match to the tunes.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
What ever happened to these guys? They are fantastic!
Posted 19 years ago by alniebel    [ Reply ]
Trustocity wrote:
Ignore the previous posts... play more Mission... especially this.
I agree
Posted 19 years ago by MiMa    [ Reply ]
Ignore the previous posts... play more Mission... especially this.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
Cambot wrote:
Music your girlfriend likes.
Exactly. Yawn......
Posted 19 years ago by GregK    [ Reply ]
Music your girlfriend likes.
Posted 19 years ago by Cambot    [ Reply ]
So glad that RP does not play this more often.. Let's keep it that way..
Posted 19 years ago by rocteur    [ Reply ]
So expressive, beautiful...
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Wow, IM. I have not heard them in so long, are they still together? I saw them play in Dallas, so long ago. Great band. Sounds so much like someone else...who is that? oh yea, sundays?
Posted 20 years ago by mem_313    [ Reply ]
IM is an excellent band. I picked up their "Small Planes" CD a couple years ago and I was hooked. I've been listening to them in my car the last couple days. I created a mix from several of their CDs. Some of my favorite tunage. I think they have a new CD coming out at the end of the month.
Posted 20 years ago by Ope    [ Reply ]
ghrup1 wrote:
Please try again. I love that song. It was on the Empire Records soundtrack no?
i am going to try to upload "black sheep wall" which is one of my favorite songs. also "clear to you." surprise radio paradise doesn't play them more often...
Posted 21 years ago by MM62    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Dotman: weee. a sundays cover band. dot.
Innocence Mission 1st CD 1989 Sundays 1st CD 1990 Not that the Sundays are a copy either. The songwriting styles are very different. Harriet from The Sundays tended to write quite oblique lyrics in The Sundays early days, then got (IMHO) rather obvious... still nice though. Karen from the Innocence Mission writes in a more literary style. There is something very clean and direct, yet almost anti-structural about her lyrics. The AMG blurb on the band puts this better than I can. Also, The Innocence Mission are devout Catholics. As an ex-Catholic that's not necessarily a plus for me (though not a minus either), but in terms of thematic material, well that's quite different from The Sundays. The Innocence Mission is one of my very favorite bands. If you have the chance to see them grab it.
Posted 21 years ago by audiozeb    [ Reply ]
weee. a sundays cover band. dot.
Posted 21 years ago by Dotman    [ Reply ]
Saw them open for Emmylou Harris about four years ago. They were terrific. Sentiment without sentimentality.
Posted 21 years ago by BrodMiller    [ Reply ]
I agree, a Sundays comparison is warranted. This one is haunting for me...great cut
Posted 21 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by infairfax: Hmm..Sounds a bit like the Sundays? The voice is strangley like the woman who sings for the Sunday's? PS. Having just read the other posts here..I guess I'am not the only one who thinks that...just goes to show you...read the previous posts!
Oh, you are right about that. Each time I hear this, I think: "Is that The Sundays?" It sounds so much like them and the singer really does sound like Harriet Wheeler very much. I like this, but can't get away from the idea that they are just carbon copies of The Sundays in sound.
Posted 21 years ago by ruby2sday67    [ Reply ]
Okay folks, I TRIED uploading another Innocence Mission song \"Bright As Yellow\" and got a \"sorry.\" I tried. I don\'t know why this one is okay but the one I uploaded is not. Guess we\'ll just have to hear this one.... a great tune in its own right.
Posted 21 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
A wonderful song by a highly underrated band. I\'m so glad that RP knows about them.
Posted 22 years ago by Carissa    [ Reply ]
this is beautiful! very melancholy in some way too. i think it would sound terrific back to back with some Counting Crows. :)
Posted 22 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
BILL!! YOU DID IT!! I thought I'd NEVER hear any Innocence Mission ANYWHERE!! (Except for the CDs I have at home!) I knew you would do it someday! GREAT!! Thanks for making my day... Keep in mind, folks.... Harriet Wheeler=voice of the Sundays (excellent, especially live. Married to Sundays guitarist Dave Gavurin, I believe.) Karen Perris= voice of Innocence Mission (excellent, especially the first two albums. Married to Innocence Mission guitarist Don Perris.)
Posted 22 years ago by camarkim    [ Reply ]
Great tune... and those wanting Sundays... feel free to upload :D
Posted 22 years ago by kenmo    [ Reply ]
MORE Innocence Mission please, and more Sundays while I\'m at it!
Posted 22 years ago by Diatribe    [ Reply ]
LOL I really should read the other comments before posting one myself. Apparently I\'m not the only one who has heard of the Sundays...cool! This song gets a 9 from me.
Posted 22 years ago by rhw    [ Reply ]
Interesting. I thought it was the Sundays for a second....
Posted 22 years ago by rhw    [ Reply ]
i like this one alot. i thought it was tanya donelly.
Posted 22 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Sweet tune
Posted 22 years ago by rmurray248    [ Reply ]
I heard this and my ears perked up. \"The Sundays have a new album out?\" But alas, no such luck. That\'s OK, this makes a fine substitute. In fact, maybe even a little better--sometimes the whiney lyrics of the Sundays gets to be too much. I\'ll take it.
Posted 22 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
Nope, this is a different person. You can get more info on the band at https://www.huan.com/im/
Originally Posted by pilgrim: Adequate addition. This voice...she wasn't the singer for The Sunday's was she?
Posted 22 years ago by jonhenshaw    [ Reply ]
Adequate addition. This voice...she wasn\'t the singer for The Sunday\'s was she?
Posted 22 years ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]