upbeat than their recent work, more in keeping with 1989's Wide-Eyed Wonder. Hindalong considers the final track, "The Warbler," to be “the finest guitar treatment Derri has given a song.” Artwork and packaging Upon initial release, the album cover artwork for Free Flying Soul differed for each of the two main audio formats at that time (CD and cassette). The cat clock featured in the interior artwork was Michaels' own, and the flying creature on the cover of the CD was brought on tour with the band, where it hung inside Hindalong's bass drum. Release Audio The album was released in March of 1996 on CD and cassette. "The Ocean" was sent to Christian radio as the first single, where it entered the Christian CHR charts at #18. Video An hour of the Choir’s 1996 performance at Cornerstone on their tour for Free Flying Soul was included on the video release, Tattoo Video Hoopla, Volume 1, in 1998, which also featured a concept video for "Sled Dog." Tour When signing with Tattoo, the Choir agreed to a tour in support of Free Flying Soul as long as that tour would be its last. With the assistance of Wayne Everett on percussion and Bill Campbell (from the Throes) on guitar, the Choir played its "farewell tour" for four months in 1996, which concluded in July at the Sonshine Festival in Minnesota. The Choir's first live album, Let it Fly, chronicled this tour and was released in 1997. Response Critical reaction Critical reaction at the time was positive. Mark Sherwood, writing for Cross Rhythms, said the "lyrics are as always, deep," and added that, "musically, they are not afraid to experiment and try things out of the ordinary." He called "If You're Listening," a "standout track […] with lyrics that soothe the soul." Retrospectively, the album has been well-received. Darryl Cater at AllMusic called Free Flying Soul "a little less noisy" than Speckled Bird. While criticizing the songwriting for being "a bit short on fresh ideas this time," he pointed out that "there also moments of alluringly adventurous intelligence." He concluded that with this album, the band had struck a "rare balance of hope and humility." Barry Alfonso, in The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music, wrote that Free Flying Soul was "an extension of what Speckled Bird had achieved," and was "among the group's most popular" releases. Mark Allan Powell, writing