Xavier Rudd

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Xavier Rudd... I don't know much about him, but I know his 2004 album Solace has been running non-stop since I obtained it a few days ago. He has a new album as well 'Food In The Belly' which I listened to at Zulu but passed on buying right away (I've been spending too much on board games these days, it has made my music shopping a little more selective). Wanting to give the album another try I attempted to download it, but instead found Solace, and I am now fully sold on Xavier Rudd!

His music is firmly rooted in rock, perhaps a bit of folk and country find their way onto some tracks, but what is most appreciated is the didgeridoo and mouth organ present on some tracks. Didgeridoos can sometimes be abused as a novelty instrument, but Rudd incorporates it into his music seamlessly, he is obviously a veteran player of the instrument. The deep mystic elements it adds can not be mimicked by any other sound... but Rudd does not just drone out some sad slow melody instead he includes it in some of the most racing rock tracks on the album (e.g. G.B.A).

This album it one of the best I've heard all year (second perhaps to Sufjan Steven's latest release Avalanche), I can't recommend it highly enough!

Exercises for the reader:
Shelter
G.B.A
Let Me Be