Gwyneth
Moreland - Cider
The
fact that an album like this can exist in 2017 is testament to the abiding
values of the popular music art form. Gwyneth Moreland’s Cider features ten
tracks with a decidedly folk influence, along with other styles coloring the
writing and performances, but it touches on the eternal verities of human
experience in a timeless and highly personal way. The sunlight and shade of
Moreland’s California upbringing vary throughout the songs and reflect the
personal touch that makes this album stand out more than many other releases in
recent memory. Moreland has the skill level of someone who has been doing this
for many years and has a well honed musical vision. It’s truly bracing to
imagine how much further she may go from this point on. Cider is an unusually powerful
release from a musical scene that’s far from moribund.
It
would be easy for us to assume that spartan music like this doesn’t challenge
listeners. The style seems so archaic in our technologically advanced time, but
few musical presentations still communicate as effectively as a first class
singer working in an acoustic setting that emphasizes taste – never overplaying
and just serving the melodic purposes of the composition. “Movin’ On” is the
first example of this on Cider. She takes on one of the most familiar tempos in
country and folk music, even rock, the shuffle and makes it work for her with a
surprising freshness. “Broken Road” shows a bluesy tinge, but it likely owes
much more to the classic country tradition despite the continued low-fi
approach. The mood is decidedly less jovial and carefree, but the same
attention to detail makes both songs stand out. There’s a steadiness to the
guitar playing on “Farmhouse” that has a slightly jovial air as well. There’s
much of a reliance on worked out melody lines, but the chunky guitar chords set
their own sort of atmosphere. “Eloise” reverts to a much more melodic approach
but there’s a consistency of structure defining the entire collection that
gives even these more delicately wrought tunes a definite shape. “The
California Zephyr” has some classic bluegrass feel making its mark on certain
passages thanks to the inclusion of banjo, but it is never a dominant musical
factor of the song. Moreland’s ability throughout the album to incorporate a
variety of sounds without steering the songwriting in specific directions sets
her apart from many contemporaries.
“Your
Smile” is another sterling example, likewise, of her ability to write
emotionally engaging material that strikes both a personal and universal note.
It has a clearer structure than many songs on Cider, but that stronger skeleton
never hampers its ability to connect. “Danny Parker” rates as one of the
album’s strongest pieces and makes for a great pairing with the title song.
“Cider” is the album’s penultimate cut but could have easily served as the
finale. There’s a salutatory air to this number that helps make it one of the
most beautiful moments on an album that’s sure to enchant many. Gwyneth
Moreland is a must hear for any fans of quality songwriting and musicianship.
9
out of 10 stars
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/gwynethmoreland/
Scott
Wigley
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