Daniel Cavanagh - 'Monochrome' Album Review

Tracklist:

1. The Exorcist

2. This Music

3. Soho

4. The Silent Flight Od The Raven Winged Hours

5. Dawn

6. Ocean Of Time

7. Some Dreams Come True

'Monochrome' is an interesting album, which almost has the feel of Brian Eno's ambient work in places. Hinting also (with the two different vocalists) at the feel of some of the earlier work of Damien Rice. An interesting facet of this album as Daniel Cavanagh had also performed Guitar & vocals on Anneke Vangiersbergen's cover of 'The Blower's Daughter' on her 'Pure Air' album. Anneke herself appears on this album providing vocals on 'This Music', 'Soho' & 'Oceans Of Time'.

The album never feels rushed, seeming to carry itself with authority and at a relaxing pace. With the possible exception of 'Dawn' which is a speedy and brief but intense acoustic guitar workout punctuated with airy voices in the background and the excellent violin work of Anna Phoebe, who first came to my attention working with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Anna also appears providing violins on 'Soho' and 'The Silent Flight Of The Raven Winged Hours'.

Elsewhere stark and spacious piano-driven arrangements seem to be the order of the day for a lot of the album, this does give way to some rocking out, particularly as "Soho" builds up and begins to bury the vocal in the middle section, but it is so much the better for never coming across as an out and out Rock album. Only two songs here come in under the 5-minute mark, but this is an album which rewards time given to it quite pleasantly. Give it a full listen through in one session and one is taken gently on a well rounded and very satisfying musical journey.