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    HM Magazine #87/Jonathan Rundman
    Jonathan Rundman — Sound Theology cover

    Jonathan Rundman

    Sound Theology

    (2002)

    Reviewed by Jason Dodd

    DiscogsBandcamp
    Label Salt Lady RecordsHM Magazine #87January/February 2001
    folk rockindie rocksinger-songwriter

    Jonathan Rundman's ambitious two-disc project on Salt Lady Records, Sound Theology, exists as 52 songs corresponding with the 52 days of a year. His dubious intent was for the listener to listen to one song per week, as each song relates to a period in the Church Year cycle (Advent, Easter, Pentecost, etc). Not sure if that is a realistic expectation, but his project is notable nonetheless. Rundman's voice has a less-contrived TMBG quality, and 'quirky' would probably be a safe word to describe his songs, as many of them have odd but appropriate instrumental layers, and are humorous, or wryly straightforward takes on church life. The first track, "Church Directory," is actually an ode to church directories. "Workin' My Committee" pokes at the obvious American Christian phenomenon. Very few songs on this 52-song project are duds. They all bleed character, intelligence, onryness, humor, innocence, and soul.

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