(written by Islander)

I had planned to post most of this SHADES OF BLACK column last Sunday. I obviously failed to get it finished in time for posting then, the result of being out very late on Saturday night and having to leave home very soon after waking up the next morning. I thought about finishing and posting it during a weekday last week, but never had enough time, so here it is at last on this resurrection day.

For the original version of the column I picked new music from six bands, which included four singles, two albums, and one EP — obviously a hell of a lot of music. But for today I’ve made the collection even bigger by including individual songs from three more bands at the end.

I found all the opening selections (the first five) to be emotionally very powerful — authentically powerful — and much of it apparently reflects its creators’ own sometimes difficult inner journeys (and some geographical ones as well). The results are sometimes haunting and sometimes harrowing, sometimes solemn and sometimes shattering or wondrous. They move moods as well as channel them; they’re often inspired by memories, and they’re likely to inspire a listener’s own memories too, as passionate music often does.

I don’t mean to suggest that the final four songs are lacking in emotional power — far from it — but they’re more what I’m prone to call mind-benders.

I haven’t written as much about the albums and EP as I think I should. Time still hasn’t been generous with periods of solitude over the last few days. But of course my own thoughts about the music are surplus to requirements — all you really need are working ears and freedom from distractions. Continue reading »