Greg Dallas: The Storm

On this both ambitious and yet unobtrusive ep, Greg Dallas creates a wide tapestry of songs, sounds and moods, supplying just about all of the instruments while bringing in the haunting voice of Catey Esler for rich sonorities.

The six songs are evenly divided between intimate ambient/electronic instrumental mosaics and richly textured pieces of medieval folk blended into modernity. Pieces like “The Storm” and “Forget” are not unlike Brian Eno during his Another Green World era, the former featuring a static synth pulse and the latter a rich electronic meditation, while “Sleep” gives of an electric guitar effect of heat radiation.

Dreamy electric guitars and palpable musical purees build up with Esler’s ethereal voice on “Time” to create palpably pastoral mist, while acoustic guitars and effects have her meld minstrel folk and electronic drapery on “Cold”. Aaron Lawson brings his drums to add to the pulse of the somber “Fallen” as Esler’s breathy lyricism veers around Dallas’ piano and electronic dimensions.

The album vocal pieces can be enjoyed on their own, but the way the entire album is pieced together makes taking it all in on one sitting a rich and rewarding experience. Don’t allow for distractions in the process of taking in the joys here.

www.gregdallas.com

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