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4.0 out of 5 stars
More rock than renaissance-but still good, February 14, 2006
This review is from: Village Lanterne (Audio CD)
"Village Lanterne" the newest album from Blackmore's Night is another fine demonstration of their unique blend of pop/rock and renaissance music. Though I will admit, I find this album to be a bit darker than their earlier recordings. And when I say dark I do not mean shockingly so. But this album contains less carefree, uplifting music such as "Under a Violet Moon" and "Home Again" with the exception of a few tracks. It seems as though they have taken a more serious turn with their lyrics and music. The tracks are as follows:
25 Years: Blend of renaissance and rock as usual with a slight middle-eastern twist. The percussion on this song is lighter and reminds me almost of a Celtic bodhran sound.
Olde Village Lanterne: Similar to "March the Heroes Home" on "Under a Violet Moon" both in lyrics and in sound. Candice's voice is soft and lovely throughout the song, leading up to a renaissance fanfare near the end.
I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore: More rock than renaissance on this track. The lyrics are a bit darker and ethereal speaking of a late night encounter between a driver and a mysterious woman, could be describing a run of the mill urban legend in which a ghostly hitchhiker is picked up then vanishes into thin air. But a very good song all around.
The Messenger: I really can't give a fair critique on this song since I am not a fan of instrumentals of any kind. I know that is almost sacrilegious for a Blackmore's Night fan to say, though I am sure most will be pleased with Ritchie's masterful guitar work on this track.
World of Stone: Renaissance music mostly on this one. This song has a courageous feel to it and the chanting reminds me of "Ivory Tower" on "Ghost of a Rose". Again this track is a bit darker as Candice sings of "angels falling" and preparing for a fight though it is decidedly hopeful.
Faerie Queen: This track could be a sister track to "Queen for a Day Parts One and Two" on "Ghost of a Rose". The first part of the song is demure, Candice sings softly and gently of the Faerie Queen. As the track slows Ritchie picks up with a fast paced, danceable instrumental that sounds like a jig played in a medieval tavern. One of my favorites on this album.
St. Teresa: Good old rock song. Not much more to say.
Village Dance: Again an instrumental though fan's of "Minstrel Hall" and other Blackmore instrumentals will surely find this one pleasing.
Mond Tanz/Child in Time: Those of us who have seen Blackmore's Night in concert are no strangers to this song. They took "Mond Tanz" an upbeat renaissance instrumental (one that I enjoyed) from their first album "Shadow of the Moon" and gave it a face lift, throwing in another one of Ritchie's earlier songs "Child in Time". The Sisters of the Moon, Ladies Nancy and Madeline give a beautiful, operatic performance on this song.
Streets of London: I also heard this track live at a concert as a preview to their upcoming album and I didn't care for it. Slow, sad and reminiscent.
Just Call My Name (I'll Be There): Pop/Rock song from a single released earlier this year. Even though I prefer the more renaissance side of their music I enjoyed this song.
Olde Mill Inn: This song was also on the "Just Call My Name" single. A renaissance drinking song that is similar in some ways to "Home Again" but a bit more discordant as though the patrons of a tavern were bellowing along with it.
Windmills: A soft, gentle song. Not the best on this album in my opinion.
Street of Dreams: Another rock song which moves completely away from their unique take on renaissance music, though still enjoyable.
Once in a Garden: A completely Candice song. She wrote both the music and the lyrics on this one. And though I really do enjoy her voice and music, I found this song to be just too sweet. She sings of childhood memories and dreams, days spent at the beach and of course "in a garden".
Street of Dreams Bonus Track: Exact same as its predecessor with the exception of Joe Lynn Turner singing along with Candice. I prefer the duet version to the original track on the album.
Overall, a very good album. Blackmore's Night moved away a bit from the light renaissance music but still kept their trademark style on most tracks thus making it another lovely addition to any music collection.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
They've done it again, May 11, 2006
This review is from: Village Lanterne (Audio CD)
This is the sixth studio album by the group and once again they've written some great tunes. I prefer the magical/mediaeval themes that they produce which means "Village Lanterne", "World of Stone", "Old Mill Inn" and "Windmills" are proving to be my favourites. Frankly, these songs deserve a health warning - they keep running through my brain and are keeping me awake at night! Each album has been eagerly awaited and snapped up as soon as it hits the store. The only one I haven't been that keen on is "Beyond the Sunset" and that is only because I'm not that keen on ballads as they tend to be the same rythym-wise and I find it a bit boring - but that's not to say that the songs, taken individually, aren't great.
I just wish that they'd think a little more of us older fans with regard to the covers themselves. I really like having the lyrics of the songs with the albums, but find it difficult to read some of the text against the picture backgrounds, yet it's great to have the pictures too. On "The Village Lanterne" it was a little bit easier as all the picture backgrounds are dark and the text is in white, but even then I need a magnifying glass to read the small descriptions given with each song - and that's when I'm wearing my reading glasses! I don't know what the answer is because I want the lyrics and the pictures, but perhaps someone will have a bright idea to solve the problem.
More music of the same, please, Blackmore's Night.
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