Xavier Rudd - Dark Shadesof Blue

Wed 10th Sep, 2008 in Music Reviews

Australia’s favourite hippie Xavier Rudd has returned with an altogether angrier and more melancholy sound on his latest release, Dark Shades of Blue. Indeed, the blue of Xavier’s depression regarding the lack of change he advocates can be seen through the album. It centers on melodic lyricism over simple percussive beatings and howling, calling guitars to invoke a tribal feel in line with his (well-publicised) beliefs. But is Xavier merely ranting, or alerting us to an urgent reality?

Opening track Blackwater is an opening suggestive of his Bluesfest 2008 set, which was a tribal rave of epic proportions. Big noises, big emotions and big ambitions are set up as Xavier cries out desperately for the change he has so long advocated. The longer and more intense Secrets continues a build of emotion. Waves of echoey feedback create ethereal voices that combine with dirty, gritty guitar and understated drumming to create the heart-wrenching calls reminiscent of Gotye’s darker tracks.

The start of Guku channels Yothu Yindi’s Treaty. Aboriginal influences are pronounced throughout, although with less of the whole “I’ll stab you in the neck” thing. The slide guitar is sweeter and twangs of happier times ring through the chords. The very righteous, collective spirit of the album is showed off in the fifth track Edge of the Moon, as an almost country twang to the slide guitar calls up the fields and valleys of a greener home. The voice of a female choir takes the – œspiritual’ aspect to new heights.

Shiver, then, is one of the more gripping and intense tracks on an already very different album. The tension is relieved by Hope That You’ll Stay, a track that also shows off Rudd’s variety of musical influences. The closing number, Home, is perhaps the only truly hopeful inclusion on the album: leaves and greenery shooting anew in spring, suggestive of second chances.

Dark Shades Of Blue can feel a bit “samey”, but overall this is a quality piece of work from an intellectually-demanding musician. I’m not completely comfortable with the questions and issues Xavier forces, or his darker melancholy. However, this kind of challenge can only be a good thing to rally against Australia’s apathetic tendencies. Don’t listen to Dark Shades of Blue unless you want to really think.

Dark Shades Of Blue is out now on Universal.