This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 1/02
mailto:celticfolkmusic@icogitate.com
"Kevin and Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews"
http://www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/index.html
Just who is Luke Brindley anyway? This newcomer's curious collection of songs create a sense of both mystery and satisfaction. Mystery stemming from his often dense lyrics, and satisfaction derived from his pleasing blend of music and words. His territory is the poetic as he serves up often oblique offerings backed by crisp guitar or piano.
Although none are dirge-like, the first few songs are a mixed brew of dark, atheistic fatalism. In "There Is Nothing," he sings:
"...who you thought you saw is not"Tangerine" offers these lines:
who you thought you knew
there is nothingthe teacher will fall
lord knows the preacher too
a family falls hard
there is nothing..."
"...bodies that fails usIn "Still Life," he switches gears, using film metaphor to depict the progress of life:
shadows assail us
the afterglow trails us..."
"...this ain't no snapshotThe guitar instrumental "The Eighth Day" is next, dividing the release. Three almost impenetrable cuts follow, "Dawn," "Honey Hair" and "Daybreak," with "Honey Hair" presented in a jaunty, upbeat rhythm.
no backdrop, no stage prop
but the movement of stars
through a shutter that never closes"
The final song "Darkness Done" has Brindley tiptoeing into uneasy optimism. Backed solely by piano, he sings:
"...oh these strange times like some waking dreamThis is not sing-along folk material. It's more a turn-out-the-lights-and-singlemindedly-focus-on-the-words-and-music offering. Some might say it's close to a musical poetry reading but that's shortchanging this enjoyable mesh of quality music and intriguing words.
no one you touch is who they seem
turn your face to the rising sun
horizon glowing, darkness done, darkness done..."
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