The Choir is one of the most consistent bands in Christian music, and with twelve albums released over twenty-seven years, they've enjoyed a long, if under the radar, career. In 2010, the band released its first album in five years, the excellent and well-reviewed Burning Like the Midnight Sun, followed shortly by De-Plumed, a collection of acoustic re-interpretations of one song from each of the band's studio albums. The album begins with a song from The Choir's (back then they were called Youth Choir) oldest album, Voices in Shadows and progresses chronologically through the band's history, ending with "A Friend So Kind" from Burning Like the Midnight Sun. I always find it interesting when a band releases acoustic versions of rock songs and vice versa, and since The Choir is known for its classic/alternative rock vibe, hearing the band stripped down is a special treat. The music is more laid back than fans are used to, but it's never boring. I especially like the use of harmonica on the song "Leprechaun" (from Speckled Bird). The song selection on De-Plumed is strong, each one a good representative of the album from which it came. The re-worked versions of the songs make them fresh and interesting. De-Plumed is a great introduction for those who have never had the privilege of hearing The Choir and a welcome entry into their catalogue for longtime fans.

- Review date: 3/15/11, written by Laura Love of Jesusfreakhideout.com