Although their voices are shaky in places, the harmony of The Fairfield Four is full and rich. Bass Isaac Freeman creates a booming foundation which supports the other vocals. They use light hand claps to create a percussion track for most tunes. In spite of their name and the fact that their arrangements are generally written in four parts, there are actually five members. The fifth man (called a "utility lead") sings lead in the accompaniment parts whenever one of the others is soloing.
The Fairfield Four's strengths are in their fervor and blend. They have a little church on "Four and Twenty Elders," highlighted by a "testifying" bridge that builds into a frenzy. "There Must Be a City" has "doo-wop" and "tra-la-la" lines. "Noah" repeats "brother Noah" and "God's gonna ride on the raining tide" in the accompaniment, while the lead sails above. "These Bones" is a slow paced swing with a bass lead line. The title cut features Joseph Rice on lead, whose harsh vocal tone is almost overwhelming on this song, but suits the lyric.
An odd combination of guests appear on I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray. Country crooner Pam Tillis sings the lead lines for the traditional spiritual "Get Away Jordan." Elvis Costello sings "That Day Is Done," a song he wrote with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney about the passing of his grandmother. Both of these songs are performed with piano, which is unique for the otherwise unaccompanied vocals of the Four. The final guest appearance is by Minnesota's radio personality and author Garrison Keillor of Prarie Home Companion fame. He narrates the biblical account of the prodigal son with the Fairfield Four providing a vocal introduction and ending along with accompanying hums.
If I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray is any indication, The Fairfield Four must be incredible in a live performance setting. It's evident that the recording was made with few if any overdubs. The raw nature of this work is also it's beauty.