Categories : Music Reviews.
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Rating: 3/5 Released: June 12, 2005 Reviewer: David Coats |
Daniel Lanois, among the most influential, respected, and perhaps unknown music figures in Canada, is best known for producing albums for the likes of Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, and U2. However, Lanois is also an accomplished performer and songwriter; his 2003 release, Shine, was well-received, paving the way for his new record, the instrumental effort Belladonna.
Belladonna, according to Lanois’ website, is inspired by the early works of Brian Eno, which “transformed out perception of space, music, and performance.†With no commercial qualities to its name, Belladonna is instead a collection of atmospheric soundscapes (in some cases, ‘soundscapes’ is more appropriate a term than ‘songs’), each one a vehicle to explore new areas. Opener Two Worlds is as inspiring as it is challenging, while the record mellows with the brooding Sketches, which also sees the introduction of “master pianist†Brad Mehldau, who contributes his rich, abstract jazz musicianship. Most of the rest of the record is melodically dependant on Lanois’ beloved slide guitar, much like Shine was. The downside with this record is that it is so abstract and so seemingly unstructured that even remembering the songs after you’ve heard them is a challenge, and some (Telco, Desert Rose) can begin to run together.
It is sometimes easy to lose track of where Lanois is going, but the payoff of songs such as The Deadly Nightshade and Flametop Green makes this high-risk, high-reward record a worthwhile pickup for those looking for something artistic, passionate, and creative.
