Some of you may have noticed that it’s been a while since I posted here and that is, in part, down to the fact that there simply hasn’t been anything that inspiring recently. However, it’s also because I’ve become a bit more focused on discovering, and thus reviewing, newer or relatively unknown material. There’s something to be said for seeing a CD hit number one in the charts, but nothing beats that feeling of discovering something you love that is privy to you and few others.
It’s from one of these forays that I landed upon Netherlands-based band The Black Atlantic and their debut album
Reverence For Fallen Trees, which can be downloaded for no cost on their
official website. I must admit that they are not an unknown act and are in fact fairly successful in both their native Holland and across the water in the US. Indeed this month will see them play at the South By Southwest Festival in Texas in addition to a North American and European tour. So that’s my new leaf turned back over then.
So, on to the album. There’s no mistaking the style these guys are going for and it’s pretty clear from the outset of album opener
Baiulus, that what follows contains minimal drums and maximum emotion. This album is not groundbreaking and, as much as it pains me to say, could well be described as ‘nice’. Plucked guitars and soft harmonies are all very good (and they
are well orchestrated), but it leaves little to stand up and be listened to. Often the music becomes background with many of the songs merging into one another.
You may think this sounds like a harsh judgment but please bear with me because it’s not. Lets look at the album as a
whole as that’s what it is. The digital revolution has not yet distorted everyone’s view of the ‘album’ and The Black Atlantic firmly come under that umbrella. This is an album of songs that are to be digested and enjoyed in one go and should not be
allowed to become background music. This is not something for a party nor even a small social gathering. This is not something to give to your family (although they would probably appreciate the gift) nor is it something to be to put on in the office.
What it is, is something to be enjoyed in it’s entirety with no distractions. Set aside thirty minutes of your time to enjoy a band working in harmony, producing an enjoyable album that doesn’t need to be groundbreaking to be great.
As individual songs I’m a little lukewarm in my enthusiasm for
Reverence For Fallen Trees but there’s no doubting the clear talent and harmony within this group. As a result, you won’t be blown away, but you’ll find it’s time well spent. And, come to think of it, when those songs are together it really is a very good record.
Visit The Black Atlantic and download
Reverence For Fallen Trees on their
official website.
And get the Vinyl or CD from their
official store.
If you don't fancy the full album you can get the MP3s of
Madagascar and
I Shall Cross This River from the mother-blog on Wordpress below.
Both are stand-out tracks from the album with
Madagascar being a particular Fleet Foxes inspired favourite of mine. However, I would recommend you get the whole album and have listen through as these tracks on their own don't do it full justice.
The Black Atlantic - Madagascar
The Black Atlantic - I Shall Cross This River
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