Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Daniel Mandel’s (featuring S. Henry McCoy) - Enlightened Madness

3/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Daniel Mandel’s (featuring S. Henry McCoy)

Enlightened Madness
self-released; 2013

3.6 out of 5 

By Demiera HArris




There is something so simplistic yet bold about the cover art for Daniel Mandel’s (featuring S. Henry McCoy) album Enlightened Madness – the colorful text comprising each song title artfully splayed across all four corners of the cover speaks volumes about what waits within. Okay, so I donned my lyric interpretation hat when I started listening to “The Train Knows Where to Go.” I just know, deep in my heart, that the train just has to be a metaphor for something, but I don’t want to make any sweeping assumptions. The music does a good job of laying the foundation, a purpose that serves well for deeper lyrics such as these and keeps your attention focused. 

You can literally hear each string being plucked and each key (is that a saxophone?) being pressed in “Candle Girl” – an effect that you only can get in acoustic songs. This song has the trifecta of intriguing music, grounded male vocals and operatic female vocals. I typically only hear this kind of music in movies, which is a real shame, as this is an almost breathtakingly beautiful song.

“Hide” slinks in next, and like the first song on the album, keeps the music minimalist so that the vocals can take the front stage. Anyone who considers themselves shy or introverted will find that this song speaks particularly loudly to them.
“One Dark Night” is delightfully somber, and if I’m not mistaken, is a very apt ode to Beast from “Beauty and the Beast.” The lyrics are filled with hints that also nod in that direction. This leans deeply towards the alternative side and I expected to hear crashing thunderstorms at its conclusion.

Bravo on the violin and piano cameos in “Lovely Empty Strong and Brave.” It sounds like the music of early 90’s rhythm and blues but with some folk in there. I loved the direction this song went in, and the incredibly unique sound it had. The guitar riff in “Possessed In Poses” is intricate and creative, and sounds so well with the particularities of the vocal placement. The piano comes back to play again here and it is careful to accentuate but not overpower the guitar.  

“Slow Blue” eased in just the way I thought a song by that title would, but I was completely swept away by the addition of the saxophone, which harkened to my smooth jazz senses. The saxophone player has some serious chops and really added a cool dimension to this song, and the album as a whole.  “Find Me A Lover” sets some of the most impossible yet admirable qualifications to be found in a mate, and also features a really complex guitar riff with a saliva inducing solo at the end to take the album home.

I still am not entirely convinced that Enlightened Madness is not a movie soundtrack – though I really wish it was, because a movie with sounds this good would have to be epic. No two songs are just alike here and the wide array of instruments, vocal tunes and arrangements used here attest to the creativity of the two men who put this all together. I look forward to hearing the other work that they release!
official website
bandcamp
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by pitchperfect158
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
© Pitch Perfect 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact