Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Aaron English – The Marriage of the Sun and Moon / 2007 Self / 12 Tracks / http://www.aaronenglish.com /

It has been a few (5) years since Aaron English first hit the music scene with “All The Waters of This World”. “The Marriage of the Sun and Moon” is his second album, and by the time “Moon Murmurs” (the disc’s last track) peters out, it is clear that English has spent the last half decade working night and day to polish and perfect his sound. The title track starts off the album, and immediately surrounds the listener with tribal sounds. The tribal sounds, drums, and overall ambience backs off slightly, while English’s vocals set out to capture listeners’ hearts.

 Each second during “The Marriage of the Sun and Moon” brings forth different musical genres and facets of English’s personality. One second, a love of Duran Duran comes forth. The next second, the tight bass work of a “New York Minute” –era Eagles is present. The eclecticism of English’s style during “The Marriage of the Sun and Moon” will ensnare the largest possible segment of listeners. “Thin ice” moves away from the tribal sound to assume a timeless type of rock sound, while English’s vocals simultaneously call forth Jethro Tull and the Barenaked Ladies. The only thing that comes forth as similar between tracks on “The Marriage of the Sun and Moon” have to be the intensity that English brings forth; the arrangements are intricate and bundled tightly – when allowed to expand during the course of a track – they capture the attention of anyone that is listening in. The disc takes a turn for the positive with the “hump” track, “Brittle”. “Brittle” is the pinnacle of the disc because of the epic sound of the track, pulling together the aforementioned Jethro Tull and tying it together with Pink Floyd and The Who to make a song that is fit for the ages.

 Instead of falling back to Earth with the follow up track, English comes forth with another impressive song in “Me and My Rainshadow”. During “Me and My Rainshadow”, English allows the instrumentation to shine at a level even above that of the vocals. The instrumentation is Spartan, but it is the interplay that the strings and piano have that speak volumes. This is a change of pace for English, as the full sound of prior tracks disappears to allow for this simple (but effective) arrangement style. The track provides the perfect counterpoint for the epic sound of “Brittle”. Where “Brittle” touched all bases, and did so in a magnificent way, “Me and My Rainshadow” is much more close-knit and special. Aaron English provides listeners with an eclectic style that is unmistakably his own; hopefully it will not be 5 more years before English releases his next album.

Top Tracks: Brittle, Me and My Rainshadow

Rating: 6.8/10

Leave a Comment