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Daniel Lanois
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Belladonna
Anti Records
Release: 7/12/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
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Belladonna is directly reminiscent of the records
Brian Eno released in the early 80s. The Eno material was
ambient soundscapes that recalled midnight on the South Pole
and other vivid descriptions. Not so oddly, helping out on those
recordings and learning much in the process was Canada's own
Daniel Lanois.
This record is 13 tracks of instrumental moodiness, each as
different from one as the next. The first cut, "Two Worlds,"
features something we'll hear through most of the record,
Lanois on pedal steel, though filtered to give it a sort of
Twin Peak-ish vibe. "Sketches" is a murky piece
that reminds me of death by drowning (yeah, I know, I'm
weird). "Oaxaca" has some sampled female vocals that add a
different feel, can you say moon walk anyone?
Lanois offers up a Tijuana Brass framework in "Agave" that
stands out in the set. It sounds like a throwaway instrumental
track from a Concrete Blonde session. "Telco" has some odd
sound effects thrown in over a fragile piano track. Lanois goes
back to the pedal steel and acoustic guitar for "Desert Rose," a
borderline country-ish track.
"Carla" is a bit more immediate in its direction, not quite so
subdued. And as a result it is one of the better cuts of the set.
The same with "Dusty," which although it is slower than
"Carla," is just a bit more attention getting. The only sort of
upbeat cut is "Frozen," which sounds anything but.
I hate to slag a fellow Canadian, but I'm having a hard time
imagining who would pick this up, if they could preview it first.
Lanois is obviously a superior musician, whose track record
clearly speaks for itself. This set, however perfect for
soundtracks (any every cut is), and obviously well made, is not
the kind of thing I would listen to. And I have a feeling I'm not
alone. |
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