Genre: Art
Rock
Release Date: 10th
November 2014
Label: Autumnsong Records (Burning
Shed)
This
is another of those times when items for review have links. Having recently
reviewed the debut release by Kaukasus, I now find that the new release by Rhys
Marsh, Sentiment, has landed on the
reviewing desk. Rhys is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and
producer based in Trondheim, Norway. Apart from being a solo artist, Rhys is
the leader of the band The Autumn Ghost and a member of both Kaukasus and
Mandala.
Autumn 2013 saw Rhys debut solo release entitled Suspended in A Weightless Wind, which
comprised 5 tracks of cover material including Nick Drake and King Crimson.
Sentiment is
the first full length solo release by Rhys and was written and recorded in his
own Autumnsongs Recording studio. The artist himself has described the material
as “my darkest and noisiest album so far. That encouraged me to step away from
my comfort zone and really delve into more personal matters.”
Normally I would now go into a bit of info about the
artist /band and who played what etc. but this time it is very short and indeed
very easy. The only musician listed on the album is one Rhys Marsh, who plays
“everything.”
Sentiment
is
a 9 track album with a total playing time of around 42 minutes, with the shortest
track, “Burn The Brightest Day” lasting 3:19 minutes and the longest track,
“The Ghost Ship” running on just beyond the 6 minute mark (6:11).
“Pictures Of Ashes” (3:50) is a very catchy track with a
gentle light bass behind a plaintive vocal. The acoustic guitar is excellent
and the “flute” (possibly a mellotron?) helps the track build with the
increasing intensity of the snare. The chorus occurs through what is normally
referred to as a wall of sound and then this drops away around the 2 minute
mark and the music becomes very sparse, but so melodic. There is a change just
after 2:30 minute point with a blast of sound from the mellotron before a
return to the earlier theme. This is a track that very quickly permeates into
your head.
Track 4, “The Seventh Face” (4:49) is one of those tracks
that is, in a very subtle way, burrowing deep into your mind without you being
aware of the situation. This is another example of some superb bass playing
together with “strings” (mellotron again?) to create an amazing aural
soundscape. Rhys vocals, as on Kaukasus recordings, are so clear and powerful,
adding another facet to this track. This is my favorite track of the album thus
far.
Up next is the longest track, “The Ghost Ship” (6:11) is
a beautiful, melancholic track of stunning simplicity. Herein lies the proof
that drums can be subtle as they are so light, and together with more perfectly
played bass, they paint an amazing scenario. With the general feeling one of
melancholy or sadness, the vocals fit that description like a glove. This is a
track that at different times both drifts, and occasionally, drives along
forming a superb piece of work. It leaves with a very much upbeat blast
including fuzz toned guitars.
The next track in this section, “In The Sand” (3:49) is
the opposite in style of expression of the previous track. The feeling of
openness, evident earlier in the tracks has been replaced by a tight precision
which anchors the track, and although relatively short, is a track that will
linger long in the mind.
The general feeling of this album is that Rhys has
evolved from previous material, but has, at the same time, maintained the “Rhys
ethos” in that he retains the ability to tell amazing stories in his catchy,
melodic/moody, vocal led work. Several times he approaches the area that
Kaukasus inhabit, but this release, Sentiment,
is very definitely a Rhys marsh solo success. Sentiment may require several listens before you realize that each
and every track has somehow managed to get inside your head and subsequent
listens seem to accentuate the little hooks and themes that you might have
previously missed. Sentiment is an
album to be savored and should be high on your CD shopping list.
4.5/5 Stars
Tracks:
Calling In The Night
Burn The Brightest Day
Picture Of Ashes
The Seventh Face
The Ghost Ship
In The Sand
Last November
Silver Light And Blackened Eyes
Give Me (What You Need)
Key
Tracks: The Seventh Face, The Ghost Ship, In The Sand
Tracks:
Calling In The Night
Burn The Brightest Day
Picture Of Ashes
The Seventh Face
The Ghost Ship
In The Sand
Last November
Silver Light And Blackened Eyes
Give Me (What You Need)
March 29, 2015
Review
Provided By Write A Music Review
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