Album Review: Honey Ryder
- Posted on September 16, 2008 10:19 AM
- 0 comments
Review by Rhose Ejobe
To start of with the album cover looks great, a back drop of a setting sun with curly and straight hair in the aura's yellow rays. This is just what I need to centre me, and it’s already working. Eject the drive, flip the CD, pop it in, close, press play, put head down and listen.
Music transports you to a place and time and so can be said for Track 1, it feels good; it resonates with the images on the cover. I’m in cornfields with a setting sun, I’m away from the stresses of the city although the lyrics sound very city-like, but this is not a problem, the backdrop is well-paced and the right tempo. Track 2 isn’t much different, although you really take notice of the instrumentals (especially the guitar work) in the backdrop, not all might appreciate this, and some appreciation only comes with an attempt at the subject in question. This is the same for most of the album unfortunately, its a case of very good instrument work with an average singing voice, nothing spectacular, a few reminders of DJ Sammys: Heaven. The other strong songs Track 4, 5, 6 and 7 do not balance with the same performance, its clear that the lead singer voice isn’t chameleon-like and won’t tune in with every type of song. Though a good attempt it comes across inconsistent, Tracks 3 and 5 her voice doesn’t hold up as I expected, I think the band should focus more on their strengths, in what I consider the star tracks 6 and 7. In these Tracks there is a union, a synergy of the bands vocals and instrument into a harmonious crescendo, which when they get it right makes you hit the back button, repeat, repeat and repeat again.
I would say this is definitely mood music and that is both the strength and the weakness of this album, imagine seeing trailers for a film portraying it as action piece, you line and pay up get your seat, your popcorn, don’t forget your greasy burger, nachos and keep that drink diet ! (that’s another story ). You see the film and realise it’s not an action movie at all but a dark thriller. That’s this album, it comes across as chilled out, but it isn’t really (a few tracks here and there) and hence a bit misleading, plus its mood music and if you’re not in the mood it’s on the shelf, lacking that chameleon characteristics, however when you’re in the mood this is pretty fine album.
Once again this album boats with good instrumentals in its tracks matched with an average voice. However when it gets it right, it gets it right. It puts you where it wants you to be, ignore the album cover and listen with your ears not eyes. In conclusion this is mood music: What mood you might ask? That’s a matter of taste. Somehow I don’t feel tired anymore.
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