John Francis O’Mara - Forbidden Hymns (2025) Hi-Res

John Francis O’Mara has a new album of spiritual Forbidden Hymns that tackle hard realities head on. This is not your head in the clouds, pie in the sky brand of spirituality – this album is heavy and frank and focused on injustice, humanity, fallibility, human love and loss, and what democracy should mean. The music is superlative, produced by Ken Coomer with Kenny Vaughan, Chris Scruggs and more in the mix.

In “Walking in Babylon” there are Southern gospel style vocals at the outset that lend an earthy, grounded feel. “From Hollywood to New Orleans my eyes caught fire from all I’ve seen, angels quake in the streets orphaned by Lady Liberty” and ends with “another brother laying in a chalk outline.” The video contains footage from George Floyd protests in Philadelphia. It’s gripping.

“Lately Mary” is an ingenious plea to Mary “lately, Mary, I’ve been thinking about you,” as the rootsy rock sets up a catchy groove and the harmonies rise and fall as they follow along, and at last, the question is posed “how can I beg, steal, or borrow some hope from you?”

“Maria, I would Dance With You But My Hands Are On Fire” brings the tempo down a bit in a hearttorn folk rock lullaby, and the lament that after everyone, “I only belong to this world.”

“No One Gets Out Of Here Alive” takes a contemplative approach with acoustic guitar melodies, soft drum shuffles and ethereal harmonies: “let us hold to one another as we stumble to the light.” “Maybe” captures sorrowful endings as the gentle “wish I never cared for the moonlight in your hair or the way you look tonight, if you’re still saying ‘maybe,’ baby I’m saying goodbye.” This time it’s easy electric guitar melodies with the shuffly drums and keys.