luni, 19 martie 2012

[Earthwise] Digest Number 2811

Messages In This Digest (2 Messages)

1.
CD REVIEW - Stone Soup From: gleason.mike@comcast.net
2.
CD REVIEW - 2 Know, 2 Will, 2 Dare, 2 Rock From: gleason.mike@comcast.net

Messages

1.

CD REVIEW - Stone Soup

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net

Sun Mar 18, 2012 4:57 am (PDT)



Stone Soup by Witch's Mark © 2008 ASIN: B001GGYPGC 9 Tracks Running Time: 36:11 MP3 Download $8.91 (U.S.)

Samhain Song 5:11 Jump 2:48
Pure Green Love 5:28 Eyes of Creation 3:52
Beltain Brew 2:38 Sabbat Night 5:26
What's in the name of God 3:24 The Calling 4:36
Begin Again 2:48

This was NOT the CD I requested for review, it was an added bonus. Being the first album by this group (and "2 Know, 2 Will, 2 Dare, 2 Rock" being their latest offering) it afforded me an opportunity to see how they had developed.

Where many of the groups I have been reviewing have been moderately "main-stream", there is no doubt that these folks are Pagan through and through. They started as an acoustic cover band, only to discover that there wasn't a whole lot they could cover. As they explained it, it was "Bardic/Renaissance at one end or...Death Metal Screamer bands on the other." They wanted something with a bit more energy than the Bardic, without descending into the chaos of the other extreme, so they decided it was in their future to write their own songs. They have remained true to their original plan and have concentrated on writing songs about the Gods and Goddesses, Rituals and the Mysteries and Wonderments of the many Pagan lifestyles.

They have undergone a number of changes in the composition of the group which, when you consider the wide variety of Pagan lifestyles available, throw in the individual temperaments, add in the effects of living in the real world and having families, is not at all surprising. My impression, based on this first album is that they have worked out a thoroughly viable and workable combination.

The members bring a variety of influences to the altar (you didn't really expect me to say "to the table" did you?), and it shows. You will hear a bit of everything on this album. There are some genres I don't normally listen to (including Death Metal) and I was surprised to hear bit of that influence on a song or two. Maybe I need to rethink my own prejudices??

They have been performing in Florida since their inception, but their music has spread far beyond. I am extremely grateful that I found these folks. When they started there wasn't a lot of Pagan rock out there, and there really isn't a whole lot even now, but they are definitely helping to change that.

By all means, go to their website, listen to some samples of their music, and then add this album to your collection. You won't regret it. And you will be encouraging the growth of Pagan rock.

2.

CD REVIEW - 2 Know, 2 Will, 2 Dare, 2 Rock

Posted by: "gleason.mike@comcast.net" gleason.mike@comcast.net

Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:00 am (PDT)





2 Know, 2 Will, 2 Dare, 2 Rock by Witch's Mark © 2011 ASIN: B004Y6CVFS 12 Tracks Running Time: 53:42 MP3 Download $8.99 (U.S.)

Wiccan Soldier 6:08 Pagan Pride 4:12

The Other People 4:08 Beautiful 4:26

A Witch Alone 3:34 Stakes N Stones 4:11

Silence 5:40 Fire 4:13

Poison Apple 3:50 Tip My Cup to the Gods 3:41

S.T.A.N.D. 3:48 Promise 5:51

This is a very different album from their preceding one. They both make it abundantly clear that they are aimed at a specific audience (some of the lyrics in "A Witch Alone" come straight from a first degree initiation ceremony [although they are certainly not oath-bound material]).

The first several songs convey a "darker" feel than the previous album. That is not a condemnation of the music, simply an impression that it is less "bouncy" in tone. I wish I had a better way of expressing it clearly, since most of the adjectives I could use just don't do it justice. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the songs. It's just that they seemed more appropriate for the dark half of the year than for the light half. Balance is important in all things, especially in our religious life, so it is both important and necessary to have this type of music in our library.

Although there is a more "serious" feel to this album, it was still a wonderful experience for me. I have sometimes fallen into a "there isn't much good Pagan music on the current scene" attitude. This album served to remind me that one simply has to go looking for it.

" Pagan Pride" breaks through the "dark" feeling I mentioned earlier and simply kicks it to the curb. It is upbeat (and maybe a bit profane, if you are easily offended [and I hope you're not]), but without a doubt it expresses the feelings of a large proportion of the Pagan population. It seems appropriate for the second half of the album. It is fun!

It is obvious that this is a band in evolution. Their music reflects the changes which have gone on in the membership of the group and in their approach to their audience. They are, by no means, a one-dimensional band. They have a lot to offer to a variety of listeners.

I am thrilled to have made the acquaintance of this fantastic group, and look forward to hearing more of their work.

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