Reviews
Artist:Cormac Russell Album: A Novel Ark
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: https://cormacrussell.bandcamp.com/
Born in Canada but raised in Ireland, Cormac Russell must be one of the most prolific musicians on the scene today. A Novel Ark represents his eighth album in just five years, and given he plays all the instruments himself, you have to wonder if he finds time for anything else. Of course, with so many LPs having been produced over such a short period of time, the obvious concern is that the result would be underdeveloped throw-away tracks with minimal production. Fortunately, that could be barely by further from the truth.
On first listen, what grabs you straight away on A Novel Ark are the soundscapes crafted by Russell. There's a richness and depth to each of the tracks which suggests a lot of time, love and planning gone into each one. The combination of these soundscapes along with Russell's understated lyrics really draw you in, with the ambient elements creating a wonderful atmosphere that pervades across the entire album.
There's a couple of tracks that leap out immediately as standouts on the release. Finnegans Wake is probably the main highlight, with its hypnotic riffs and slightly ominous sounding vocals. The Wide Ocean is a beautiful track that kicks off with birdsong before Russell's vocals kick in, and it's his voice that really keeps you entranced, full of both resonance and fragility.
If you haven't come across Cormac Russell yet, A Novel Ark is the perfect entry point. Full of deft musical touches and sweeping auditory panoramas, it's a great album to stick on and disappear into. If you like this one, there's then plenty more music available from Russell to dive deeply into. In the highly unlikely event you don't like it, there's bound to be another release close on its heels to give another try.
Adam Jenkins
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