Music Review: Beyond The Waves

Beyond the Waves: A Meditative Masterpiece

Feel all of the stresses of everyday life melt away as soon as the first note hits! This beautifully arranged album by the divine songstress Ann Licater will soothe your soul with its ethereal combination of light instrumentation. The opening track "Rhythm of the Stars" is a captivating combination of cascading acoustic guitar, soaring flute, and subdued percussion which will leave you in a trance-like, pensive state. It is the perfect way to introduce the otherworldly realm that Licater has so masterfully created. Listening to the album is a perfect way to unwind, de-stress and get lost in a mystical sound bath. "Song of the Willows" is nothing short of a meditative masterpiece with wind chimes tinkling away in the background serving as the perfect base for Licater's incredible flute musings. Beyond the Waves is the perfect combination of serenity, beauty and artistry.

-Samantha G.

Fiona's Brush-Stroke Reviews

On Eagle Mountain by Todd Mosby

I chose to review this album for two reasons.  Firstly because I love it.  Secondly because while I was in transit from Sydney to LA I watched an awesome movie called Eddie the Eagle – which I also loved and I felt the eagle reference was a sign of semantics to write about Todd’s really stunning guitar album titled On Eagle Mountain.

Produced by the team at Imaginary Road Studios (Will Ackerman & Tom Eaton) this album couldn’t miss.  Not just because of the great people and production but because Todd has his own unique defining style that sets him apart.

As I listen I feel transported to another place, but more than that, I’m drawn into Todd’s world, a clever and well constructed world where I can choose to stay on the surface and listen to his music in an ambient way, or I can concentrate and find depth way beyond the definition of ‘ambient’.  A wonderful combination and most artists cannot achieve both attributes at the same time.  I believe it takes a sense of trust in the artist that they will lead you somewhere – in both instances.

In art-speak I would liken Todd Mosby’s album On Eagle Mountain to French painter, printmaker and ‘intimist’  Pierre Bonnard who was able to capture the spirit of the moment by playing with light and decorative surfaces using impressionist techniques.  He was not interested in obscure symbolist subject matter and was not a mystic. Instead, he was satisfied - even fascinated and delighted by the scenes of simple daily life around him into which, as observers, we are drawn.

Excellent work.  A cut above. 

                                                                                              - Fiona Joy

*Fiona Joy is a composer/pianist/producer/vocalist...and painter. View her work here.