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Burning Like the Midnight Sun is the 12th studio release, and 11th full-length studio album, by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released on June 29, 2010.[1]

Burning Like the Midnight Sun
Studio album by The Choir
Released	June 29, 2010
Recorded	2009-2010
Studio	Sled Dog Studios, Franklin, TN
Genre	Christian alternative rock
Length	49:31
Label	Galaxy21
Producer	Derri Daugherty, Steve Hindalong
The Choir chronology
O How the Mighty Have Fallen (2005) Burning Like the Midnight Sun (2010) de-plumed (2010)

The band also released a companion CD that featured running commentary from all band members for each song on the album.[2] From this point forward, the Choir would provide band commentary (either on CD or digital download) for most of their new releases and reissued albums. In addition, the band provided a DVD of mix stems for listeners to create remixed versions of any song on the album.[3] Several of these fan-made remixes would later be featured on the Choir's official Facebook page.

To publicize the release of The Loudest Sound Ever Heard in 2012, the band briefly offered Burning Like the Midnight Sun as a free download via NoiseTrade.[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
CCM Magazine	[5]
Chicago Sun-Times	[6]
Apple Music	Favorable [7]
The Christian Rock 20	[8]
Christianity Today	[9]
Cross Rhythms	[10]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[11]
The Phantom Tollbooth	[12]
QRO Magazine	8.1/10[13]

Burning Like the Midnight Sun received some of the most positive reviews of any album in the band's career up to this point. Jeff Eibel, writing for the Spin Control column in the Chicago Sun-Times, called The Choir's latest release "a late-career triumph," and remarked that Burning Like the Midnight Sun was the band's "second exceptional album in a row, and its best since 1990's landmark Circle Slide."[6] Christianity Today′s Andrew Greer also praised the album, saying that "the Grammy-nominated indie rockers plunge headfirst into lyrical provocations of love, loss and the gospel, issuing smooth musical clarity to contrast the murky exploration of everyday faith."[9] Apple Music's editorial review concurred, saying that "Derri Daugherty remains a uniquely evocative singer, bringing a spacey sort of tenderness to Steve Hindalong’s spiritually informed lyrics," and that "the Choir’s subtle layering of effects-laden guitars, pulsating percussion and moody saxophones achieves a gorgeous shimmer."[7] Derek Walter at The Phantom Tollbooth also highlighted the production, calling Burning Like the Midnight Sun a "sonic delight" and the Choir's "most cohesive, melodic and atmospheric collection to date," adding that the album also contains "vibrantly visual lyrics full of poetry and insight."[12] In QRO Magazine, writer Lloyd Epperly claimed that Midnight Sun mines "similar sonic textures as The Church and Cocteau Twins," and added that "it's as if all the pieces came together this time."[13] Michael Weaver of Jesus Freak Hideout agreed, writing that Burning Like the Midnight Sun is "easily one of the Choir's best albums, if not their best to date,"[11] while Cross Rhythms contributor Lins Honeyman simply called the album "[an] exemplary release."[10]

Background

The track "Between Bare Trees" was inspired by the love of nature that drummer and lyricist Steve Hindalong shared with his then-wife, Nancy. Explaining this song in an interview with Songfacts, he said: "She can identify most trees by their bark, seed and leaf. Through her eyes I have learned to appreciate the structure and beauty of bare trees. And it brings to mind the importance of transparency in a relationship."[14]

Track listing

All lyrics by Steve Hindalong. All music by Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong, except where noted.

Personnel

The Choir

• Derri Daugherty - vocals, guitars
• Steve Hindalong - drums, percussion
• Tim Chandler - bass guitar
• Dan Michaels - saxophone, lyricon
• Marc Byrd - guitars

Additional musicians

• Christine Glass Byrd - vocals

Production

• Dan Michaels - executive producer
• Derri Daugherty - producer, recording engineer, mixer
• Steve Hindalong - producer
• Jim DeMain - mastering at Yesmaster
• Ron Lyon - cover painting
• Andrew Thompson - layout and design

References

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