Blonde bombshell Windy Lyre appeared seemingly out of nowhere in 1991 with her self-titled debut on Blonde Vinyl Records. Truth be told her connections to alternative Christian music ran deep, but on a personal level, which is not appropriate to go into here. The album was a refreshing display of acoustic alternative, which hinted at folk rock, jangle pop, and in a way preceded the dream pop/alt country craze that swept the middle part of the 1990s and beyond.
Lyrics and music were all written by label owner Michael Knott (LSU, Lifesavers, Aunt Bettys, etc.) and the album features songs that were largely devotional in nature, and at times were downright worshipful. Album closer “Drink” is poignant and gently evangelistic:
Drink of the cup of salvation
Drink of the cup of salvation
It springs up from a well
Saves me from the depths of hell
Weep for the sake of this nation
Weep for the sake of this nation
Turns to a vice
It runs from Jesus Christ
Speak of the Son’s revelation
Speak of the Son’s revelation
For the sake of our lives
He hung on a cross and died
After a 17-year hiatus, Lyre recorded a follow-up album in 2008 called Overflow, again a collaboration with Knott. The album has a similar, minimalist approach to acoustic indie pop.
Could totally hear Knott singing this