The Innocence Mission certainly are a folks band featuring the beautiful, mesmerizing vocals of Karen Peris, along with the guitar backing of her husband,
New Tiffany, Don Peris.
Their signature style is dreamy sluggish songs, with lovely melodies.
The original band, which includes Mike Bitts (bass), and Steve Brown (drums), was shaped in Lancaster, Pennsylvania inside the early 80s when the members satisfied in the course of a Catholic school production of Godspell. Though all members from the band have contributed musically, Karen Peris does the majority of the group’s writing.
Their eponymous debut album, released in 1989 (A&M Records), was produced by Larry Klein,
Tiffany Heart Necklace, then-husband of Joni Mitchell, and recorded in the couple’s basement recording studio. The album peaked on the Billboard charts at #167 in 1990, along with the album’s second track, “Black Sheep Wall”,
Tiffany Nyc, released as a single in 1989,
Tiffany Earings, peaked at #22 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks. The album’s fifth track, “Clear to You”,
Tiffany Blue, was used on the soundtrack from the pilot episode of Beverly Hills 90210. Klein also produced their 1991 follow up, Umbrella.
Their third and final A&M album,
Tiffany Heart Bracelet, Glow, released in 1995 (A&M Records),
Tiffany And Co, Was produced by Dennis Herring,
Tiffany Silver, who had previously produced two records for Camper Van Beethoven. This album is a departure from Klein’s heavier manufacturing type. Whereas the first two releases may have brought to mind The Sundays and the Cocteau Twins with their moody keyboards, Herring’s lighter touch gave more emphasis to the group’s guitar work and to Karen’s vocals and lyrics.