Customer Reviews

Pathways And Dawns

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the demise of Dead Can Dance I've anxiously awaited the solo cd from Brendan Perry but after hearing Peter Ulrich's solo debut it is nice to know that Brendan and Lisa aren't the only two pursuing solo careers. I loved Peter's cd. More so than Lisa and Brendan this CD is closer to The Dead Can Dance sound than either solo efforts from Lisa and Brendan. Peters music evokes eternal thoughts of sadness and introspection. A very fine debut and I look forward to his next release. Excellent work Peter.

Fans looking for a typical Dead Can Dance sound will probably have to wait until Brendan Perrys solo debut. Until then we have Peter Ulrich's impressive debut. While sprinkled with Perrys brilliant touch, Ulrich debuts his own talents. His voice is the most suprising element here, almost mono-tone at times, while it lacks range it makes up for that in style and uniquness. Of couse the percussion work is excellent. My particular favorite track is "Always Dancing". All in all an impressive debut and definate hope for more to come.

Very infrequently do I find a CD where every song on it I like. This debut work from Robert Ulrich (sometimes percussionist for Dead Can Dance) is a true sonic pleasure from start to finish. The lyrics and the musical arrangement are combined into a hauntingly beautiful style to make for excellent listening. I have had it several months now and find myself enjoying more with every listen. Anyone who enjoys the offerings of DCD, Enigma, Alan Parsons and some of the quieter moments on Pink Floyd needs to check this out. Dead Can Dance's Brendan Perry helped with the recording and production of this album and his influence is definitely present. Check it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Perhaps I set my expecations too high, being that Peter was from DCD, but it was simply terrible. The music was a feined attempt at what the spirit of DCD was, but didn't even come close. I regret risking money on this album, and will definitely be getting rid of it as quickly as possible.

Being a big fan of Dead Can Dance, this cd was number 1 on my list to hunt down on my subsequent rare visit to a big city. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but of course was unable to listen to it without DCD's magnificent albums tinting my outlook.

Taqaharu's Leaving blew me away from the outset, it is the most DCD-like track on the album, but saying that, Peter Ulrich is under no obligation to create music in the same vein as DCD, and his own artistic vision does indeed reveal itself as a diverse beast.

Like so many people have said, I detect similarities in his delivery and style to early Brian Eno, and in this he veers away from DCD. There is also a kind of 1960's folk-troubadore innocence on the air here, and even the melancholy songs seem to me to be infused with optimism.

Life Amongst The Black Sheep is a definite highlight, it has something of a medieval feel to it, and is altogether a really charming song. Brendan's hurdy-gurdy playing draws the magic forth.

Tracks 4, 5 and 6 are all a little weak in places, methinks. I have to say that I was taken aback (probably visibly) by the gooey Nocturne at first listen, which paddles in a rather yucky "easy listening" soup,(though if you survive the limp first minute or so, the song does build to something altogether stronger).

Evocation has some really nice ideas in the way it unfolds, but there is something about the lyrics, or perhaps their delivery, that makes me cringe every time, plus I find myself comparing this track, and Journey Of Discovery, to DCD's album Spiritchaser, despite myself, and I have to say these tracks pale in comparison, they feel flimsy and are smitten at times with a New-Agey kitsch that never blighted DCD.

Happily, the album ends with two very strong songs, and I am always tempted to return to the beginning and play the album over again.

It's been 7 years since the bulk of this album was recorded with Brendan at Quivvy Church, and I understand there is a follow up album in the works, but wherever is it? I for one am eager to see how things evolve with the next album.

Pathways And Dawns always cheers me up, and I often reach for it for a burst of it's positive essence. Good on you, Mr Ulrich!

On first listening to this album, I had no idea Ulrich was a member of Dead Can Dance, though I can now hear the influences. This is a lighter, mellower, more New Age-y type sound, especially in the vocals. The musicianship, the world music influences, and the provocative lyrics keep it soaring above such elevator-Muzak fodder as John Tesh, Yanni, and the more recent incarnations of Tangerine Dream. The Projekt label puts out one quality release after another, and this one is no exception.

This CD debuts in stores today (August 10th). I've only heard the full-length MP3, "Taqaharu's Leaving," from Projekt's site (download it if you haven't already). However, from what I've heard and read about the disc, I'll be anxious to hear the rest. I'm ordering one today.