Dark Side of the Room

Dark Side of the Room Artist: Plainsong
Label: Rhino
Category: Music



Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1


EAN: 4023290124764
ASIN: B000002RKK


Release Date: 1993-10-19

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Tracks:

  1. Nothing's Changed
  2. Unusual Girl
  3. Breaking the Bones of the World
  4. Under the Volcano
  5. Jenny
  6. Say a Prayer
  7. Sweet Amelia (Cloud Nine)
  8. If I Needed Rain
  9. Evening Sun
  10. Welcome to London Town
  11. Dream Goes On
  12. Towie
  13. Bluebird Morning
  14. Next Time Around
  15. Toscanni's Darkhorse

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Lack of rough edges makes it a challenge to stay engaged.......2005-11-04

Plainsong keeps cropping up in one incarnation or another, dashing off a recording or two of its signature sound, then going dormant. The nucleus of the band, Ian Matthews, is a veteran musician who is best know for his short stint in Fairport Convention and a cover of Woodstock in Matthew's Southern Comfort, drives the efforts here.

The songs on the cleverly named "Dark Side of the Moon" are precise and the recording is high quality. This is a CD I would recommend taking along when auditioning quality speakers to see how they handle the high notes and multi-part harmonies, the sound of a pick on the acoustic guitars, the understated percussion, or the soaring a cappella tribute to Amelia Earhart in Sweet Amelia (Cloud Nine) --- long a favorite subject of Mr. Matthews.

My issue here is that the songs are almost too polished and similar, the performance too perfect, and the lack of rough edges makes it a challenge for a listener to stay engaged.

For instance, Breaking the Bones of the World veers into Bruce Cockburn territory without much snarl to underpin the theme of social injustice. Unusual Girl gathers up some energy but the lyrics sound a tad dated; Under the Volcano could be more fun than it ultimately is. Some songs, such as Jenny or Bluebird Morning, are like begnets, sweet nothings.

In summary, I like this CD, but find that it does not compel me to listen frequently.

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  7. Safe Away ~ Denison Witmer
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  10. Now & Then: Folk Songs for the 21st Century ~ Alex de Grassi

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