Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

The Deer's Cry - Rise with the Dawn

4/30/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Deer's Cry

​
Rise with the Dawn
self-released; 2020

​4.0 out of 5

By My Nguyen

The Deer’s Cry is a Nashville, TN based band named after an old Irish prayer. Comprised of Karen Ballew (vocals/Celtic harp/portative organ), Bryan Brock (percussion), Patrick Atwater (double bass) and Will MacLean (banjo), the band also collaborates and records with other musicians. They are releasing their latest album entitled Rise with the Dawn.

Filled with Irish and Celtic influences, these are songs that brandish a pulse brimming with atmosphere and ambience. The deft musicianship on this album carries a sound that largely incorporates the banjo, harp and strings. These soundscapes capture huge moments of light and dark.


Rise with the Dawn opens up with “In Clear Winter’s Night,” where the sounds of the banjo jumpstart this track. The finger-picking on the banjo is evocative. The vocals are crystalline with a clear and startling cadence on this song filled with Celtic and Irish influences. The sound of strings adds a lush accompaniment.

On the title track “Rise with the Dawn,” Ballew’s vocals come in. Her voice is silky and elegant, propelled by emotional power. The soft and mellow cadences arriving from the harp underlines her vocals. The tone is lovely. The sound is soft with a lulling feel to it. This is a quiet track. The cadence of wind instruments also traces this song. The sound is easy-going and laid-back.

The sound from the harp on “Smiling Blue” is riveting. Ballew’s vocals come in in a joyful manner. This is an uplifting track filled with positive notes. Percussions that dress this song gives off an amped feel. Half of the song is sung in Spanish.

Moody cadences of the piano drives “Seeking Worth.” A mellow acoustic track, the sound is dynamic and rich. The piano solely supports the vocals. The piano tune is melancholic and meandering. The vocals arrive in a hushed manner. The tone on this song is quiet and reticent.

On the closer “The Deer’s Cry,” Ballew’s vocals are radiant and filled with light. The cadence really soars. Next, the sounds of the banjo set in. A strong sense of urgency arises. This is a dramatic track. The strings add a stirring tone.

Bursting with a lively vibe coming from the percussions, the first half of the album are soulful jaunts filled with uplifting and energized beats. Jam-packed with an amped feel, these songs are fully charged brimming with an up-keyed vibe. Filled with vibrant undertones, the majority of these tracks will get you moving in no time. The second half contains a soft lilting quality. The effect is lulling like much in a lullaby. The quiet tones will leave you in a contemplative mood to meditate on the moving melodies.

​In the vein of Irish, bluegrass, jazz and other world tradition genres, the band members’ unique and intuitive perspectives really add range to all of the tracks on this album. There is a definitive spark that will draw listeners closer to the flame.
official website
Tweet
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 divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    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
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact