Indigo Girls Album: “Nomads Indians Saints”

N*I*S has taken me places, and it's followed me around the world on my journeys. This is one of my favourite Indigo Girls albums - in fact it was my first introduction to their talent beyond 'Closer To Fine'. For me, this collection of songs speaks of self discovery through the understanding of relationships between friends, lovers, family, and the physical world. Emily and Amy have only collaborated on a couple of songs in their entire career, and their independant songwriting has worked perfectly on this release - 5 of Emily's finest have shown up, and 6 Amy gems rear their intense heads. Mortality and and celebration of growth are two recurrent themes throughout their songs on Nomads. Also a common thread is the discovery life's beauty through reflection, both tragic and humorous. Listening to the album while I write this, I am tempted to compare the wonderful production of this album to Shawn Colvin's "Steady On" in it's polished acoustics and honest guitar playing.

I highly recommend this Nomads Indians Saints as a gift or as an introduction to Folk and the Indigos. And like I said, it's the perfect companion for a lone traveller. I've travelled the world three times on this album, and I never tire of it. With my headphones on, my eyes on the ever-changing landscape, I listen to Amy's words, Emily's wonderful fingerpicking on the title track and listen to the perfectly apt lyrics "...this world falls on me, dreams of immortality, everywhere I turn - the beauty just keeps shaking me... I running, to the end of the earth. I'm swimming to the edge of the sea. I'm laughing, I'm under starry sky - this world was meant for me, don't bury me - carry me... this world was meant for me, I've got hopes of immortality..."

"World Falls," "Watershed," "Hammer & A Nail," these are songs that I consider old friends. They're dependable, and they make me happy.

From the opening note of "Hammer and Nail" to the closing notes of "The Girl With The Weight Of The World In Her Hands" this is Indigo Girls at their finest. Of all their albums, this one is my favorite and constantly makes it back into the CD player rotation. I have the original version so I don't know what difference the bonus tracks would make on the remastered version. Having seen the Indigo Girls live twice now, I feel very priviledged to have experienced them live. This album struck a chord in me and many of my friends the year of it's release. We lived it, loved it, and paid homage to the "Girls" many times. It is hard to have a favorite. The Indigo Girls continue to amaze me with each release. But, I would recommend this one be the first one you add to your collection. "Nomads Indians Saints" is a finely crafted pop/rock/folk collection of art that you can see and feel as well as hear. Each cut paints a lyrical tapestry that makes you feel as if you're there with them as the songs came to them. The harmonies, instrumentation and production on this album are incredible. See, hear, feel, smell, touch, taste, and ENJOY!

When I first heard Indigo Girls - Nomads, Indians and Saints, I was blown away !! Their music takes you on a journey from the deepest trenches, to the highest peaks of your psyche ! Very hard to walk away from this cd unmoved or unscathed...I have "never" heard such beauty in any other artists...from tender to raw and raunchy, it has a beauty to it...not meant for the faint of heart...it pierces you with its heartfelt arrow and you will never be the same ! An american folk/rock triumph to say the least !!! A MUST have for any serious music collector!

i have been a fan of the girls for about 8 years now. nomads*indians*saints is by far my favorite IG recording ever. the styles range from amy's rawness ("1 2 3") to emily's profound deep reasoning ("you and me and the 10,000 wars"). "hammer and a nail" (mary chapin carpenter backs them up) is the best "get up and do it" song ever. everyone can relate to "watershed". amy's fear of dying is expressed in "world falls". it is just a wonderful recording and i think that EVERYONE must have it!