Under the name of ‘Samsara Sun’, Dan Licht is about to release an album aptly titled: White Soul, Black Hearts.
Samsara Sun is not out to compromise ideals or to comfort you and the poetry used throughout is meaningful, cinematic and straight in your face. If you could imagine the writings of Jim Morrison, James Taylor and Nick Cave being poured into a mixing bowl with extra emotion and a lesson for all added gently and not subtly, this is that album. It has been gently stirred by a tsunami of thought.
It is a tale of deeds mis-done, adventures mistakenly undertaken, people overcome, rituals questioned and beliefs hammered into the ground.
Whilst the album is, undoubtedly, dark and moody it is neither disingenuous nor disengaging; to an extent it is a modern take on the ‘dreamtime’.
Musically the bass flows mellifluously throughout and is beautifully played giving extra depth to the rhythm section, with meaningful almost pleading vocals adding angst all of its own.
This is not an easy album but it is challenging, well produced and something to listen to over and over again to gain different perspectives.
The first track (Fire On Water) is, to me, the most radio friendly and an excellent opener to the album as a whole; it sets the pace, colour, thrust and direction for the tracks to follow which could only have been written by someone with true insight into Australia at large.
There is a deep conscience at play here, one not normally found on many albums these days; in fact, there is a ‘concept’ behind this album which the listener interprets at his/her own discretion and timing.
The balance of all instruments is well managed throughout, whether it is keyboards, guitars, drums or other instrumentation and the background harmonies/vocals are placed exactly where they should be.
This is, to an extent, a musician’s album in which inner thoughts are shared openly and not randomly. Do not expect toe tapping rhythms but do expect to be challenged and pleased and left, hopefully, with a slight feeling of unease at man’s ineptitude on this planet.
Tony Bates. Uncut & Unsigned. www.3MDR.com
Samsara Sun is not out to compromise ideals or to comfort you and the poetry used throughout is meaningful, cinematic and straight in your face. If you could imagine the writings of Jim Morrison, James Taylor and Nick Cave being poured into a mixing bowl with extra emotion and a lesson for all added gently and not subtly, this is that album. It has been gently stirred by a tsunami of thought.
It is a tale of deeds mis-done, adventures mistakenly undertaken, people overcome, rituals questioned and beliefs hammered into the ground.
Whilst the album is, undoubtedly, dark and moody it is neither disingenuous nor disengaging; to an extent it is a modern take on the ‘dreamtime’.
Musically the bass flows mellifluously throughout and is beautifully played giving extra depth to the rhythm section, with meaningful almost pleading vocals adding angst all of its own.
This is not an easy album but it is challenging, well produced and something to listen to over and over again to gain different perspectives.
The first track (Fire On Water) is, to me, the most radio friendly and an excellent opener to the album as a whole; it sets the pace, colour, thrust and direction for the tracks to follow which could only have been written by someone with true insight into Australia at large.
There is a deep conscience at play here, one not normally found on many albums these days; in fact, there is a ‘concept’ behind this album which the listener interprets at his/her own discretion and timing.
The balance of all instruments is well managed throughout, whether it is keyboards, guitars, drums or other instrumentation and the background harmonies/vocals are placed exactly where they should be.
This is, to an extent, a musician’s album in which inner thoughts are shared openly and not randomly. Do not expect toe tapping rhythms but do expect to be challenged and pleased and left, hopefully, with a slight feeling of unease at man’s ineptitude on this planet.
Tony Bates. Uncut & Unsigned. www.3MDR.com