White Moth

Xavier Rudd

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2007)
• Original Release Date: June 4, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Anti
• ASIN: B000PSJCU6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,518 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Australia & New Zealand

Track Listings

1. Better People

2. Twist

3. Stargaze

4. Choices

5. Come Let Go

6. White Moth

7. Footprint

8. Land Rights

9. Anni Kookoo

10. Message Stick

11. Set It Up

12. Whispers

13. Whirlpool

14. Come Back

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On his fourth album in five years, Australian Xavier Rudd continues to blend indigenous music of his homeland with a wide swath of sounds that have delighted and excited him throughout his life. Folk, pop, ska, reggae, world-beat rhythms, and more all are handily unified by Rudd's inviting and expressive vocals. The songs are imbued with human concerns, ranging in scale from small, private familial connections to society's responsibilities towards justice and equality. In particular, the plight of Australia's native people informs some of the lyrics. Rudd protects his heartfelt sentiments with personal and poetic phrases that avoid reducing the matters to sloganeering. Additionally, Aboriginal singers make a guest appearance, adding a timelessness and underscoring Rudd's own musical inspirations. After a series of infectious grooves and celebratory ensemble interplay, the set closes with the introspective "Come Back," a quiet plea that addresses the inner and outer worlds of this musical explorer. --David Greenberger

Product Description

Australia's singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is poised to conquer the US with this, his third album. Rudd has found a sounding board for his ideas, focusing the ecstatic improvisations of his live set into beautiful narratives of the spiritual journeys we take in our everyday lives. With songwriting and production that now match the adrenalin of his live performances, and dates this summer with the Dave Matthews Band, Xavier will reach the audience his intensely spiritual music deserves. Both of his previous releases, "Solace" and "Food In The Belly", have been certified platinum in Australia, and his 2006 DVD, "Good Spirit" was also recently certified gold in Australia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rudd for World President, August 27, 2007

By	Donald Knowles - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An amazing performer with deep love for the Earth.
His mix of reggae and folk and aborginal music is beautiful
and haunting .
I loved this cd so much I bought the rest of his music.
His vocal qualities remind me of a young Paul Simon.
Would vote him for World President because of his love of Mother Earth!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beam Down in Moonlight, February 22, 2008

By	Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The review of "White Moth" in the magazine "Dirty Linen" peaked my curiosity. This is my first Rudd disc. It is worth repeated listenings and close inspection. As a vocalist, Rudd's voice is strong, but not overpowering. The opening track "Better People" is a mellow melodious midtempo number with a catchy chorus and a positive upbeat lyric, "giving food to the hungry, giving hope to the needy, giving life to a baby, giving care for free." "Twist" adopts a light reggae grove with a mystical lyric, "Can you sing to your creator, give tobacco to a tree or some flowers to your mother cause she gave you what you need?" While I'm clueless why one would give tobacco to a tree, it's a nice sound. The title track is a 2-minute ray of sunshine, "We're all here together on this beautiful day." The 7-minute "Footprint" rolls like a lost Led Zeppelin. "Anni Kookoo" is a soft acoustic gem that really brings Jack Johnson to mind. The instrumental "Message Stick" is unusually offbeat with its traditional sound and has become one of my moody favorite tracks on the CD. "Come Back" is a lovely lament, "I see your face when I'm staring out the window beaming down in the moonlight; The winter is colder without you by my side." "White Moth" is a varied, creative set. It has depth unified by a unique artistic vision. Enjoy!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful, underrated album, February 10, 2008

By	The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I'm really surprised that considering how well "Solace" has been received by the Amazon community, "White Moth" only earned a single five star vote that was attached to the one review before mine. It's baffling because this album is equally as strong. The song writing is just as compelling. As with Rudd's "Solace," the obvious comparison is Jack Johnson. True, they're both surfer dudes turned musicians. While I enjoy both performers, I prefer Xavier Rudd. I find Rudd's music to be far more dynamic. While Jack Johnson has a great sound, his music tends to get old quickly. In addition to the mellow solo acoustic guitar songs and occasional reggae vibes, Rudd rocks out every now and then. "White Moth" features some serious cookers like 'Footprint.' The man can play some mean slide guitar! Xavier Rudd also brings in the aboriginal elements from his Australian homeland. Whether it's the didjerdoo in 'Star Gaze' or the aboriginal chanting in 'Message Stick,' there's undeniable substance here that goes beyond typical beach culture. In this sense, a more accurate comparison with Xavier Rudd may be Keller Williams. Beyond this, Rudd's music features a passionate and enlightened sense of environmentalism. His social consciousness is inspiring. I was fortunate enough to see Xavier Rudd on tour for "White Moth" and the album is as good as his rockin' live performance. If you're one of those listeners who was wooed by "Solace," go for "White Moth."