Categories : Folk + Roots, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3/5 Reviewer: David Coats |
Daniel Lanois is one of the unsung heroes of Canadian music. Most famous for his work as producer for the likes of Emmylou, Dylan, Gabriel, and of course, U2, Lanois has also released three acclaimed solo records (most recently 2003’s Shine). However, 2005’s instrumental release, Belladonna, actually provides more of a template for Here Is What Is. Full of heartfelt, though bland, pedal steel jams, the record is actually more of a soundtrack to the accompanying documentary film about Lanois’ career. A host of familiar faces play on this record, including drummer Brady Blade, whose unusual syncopations suit Lanois’ songs perfectly.
There are some gems here, most notably the brilliant ‘Where Will I Be,’ and the Young-esque ‘Duo Glide.’ Much of the record, however, drifts. The most captivating moment is actually ‘Beauty,’ really just spoken dialogue between craftsman Lanois and his longtime collaborator, Brian Eno. Hearing Eno tell Lanois that what would really be valuable is if he could convey to a disbelieving audience that “beautiful things grow out of shit†is worth the price of admission.
Similarly, in ‘Sacred and Secular,’ Lanois refers to his pedal steel as his “church in a suitcase†– Lanois’ work is generally much more impacting when put into its artistic, spiritual context. Unfortunately, the songs, however well-performed, simply aren’t bold enough for listeners to retain their artistic context without literal reminders. Songs like ‘Blue Bus’ and ‘Harry’ are long on catharsis and short on urgency, while left-field percussive closer ‘Luna Samba’ is a conceptual misfit, though a breath of fresh air.
Though Lanois’ musical vision and integrity remain nearly unparalleled, his songs are reaching the point where the vision is actually more interesting than the art turns out to be.
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