LEFT OFF THE DIAL - Album Reviews - Sheryl: Angels in the Myst

BANDS:

Punk & Ska
80's New Wave/
Post-Punk/
College Bands
90's & Beyond
Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

INTERESTS:

Venues
Publications
Record Stores
Radio
Record Labels
Album Reviews
Live Gig Reviews
Past Features
Links

ETC...

About LOTD
Contact/Staff
Submit Music
Advertise
Home

Sheryl: Angels in the Myst

Imitation in art once again. Sheryl is trying very hard on this album to create calm and beautiful sounds from the depth of her being. The music is melodic and often mimics the best of any New Age compositions we hear today even those of Yanni with beautiful melodies and themes that evoke imagery and emotion. Angels in the Mist keeps a beautiful tune rolling throughout the song though gets a bit overstated towards the end. Something good to find in music for reflection is a melody that keeps going so well that the biggest problem becomes how to end it. More of the same is heard with Visage which actually keeps up the pace and endurance of powerful New Age music.

As far as emotion goes, she does turn to the Irish for a small rendition of Danny Boy a tune that I just didnt expect to hear on this album. Usually, this can be done well and evoke some feeling, but her vocals didnt work except to get me tired of yet another version of this song. There is more inclination to turn to Gaelic in her music, but that isnt what came to mind with My Seoithin Seo or Kildare Moon. It could have been the type of nontraditional instrumentation and lack of whistles or pipes.

I found that Rainbow also doesnt work with the vocals she provides. Great Scots! (or English! or Irish!!) One must stay on key in order to attract the ears of those who can hear the discord! The percussion gets offbeat for awhile and I dont think this was intentional.

Another track entitled If You Think You Do seems to be a love song that gets its theme scattered throughout. The erratic style changes sung with the same words (saying the same thing many different ways) does more to confuse than create a palatable composition. Sheryl has picked up many instruments and learned many things, but we dont need to hear them all on a single track!

Composition is a bit off in Journey On Home as I heard another melody that didnt remain cohesive. Her solo and harmonies were off-key, and it became some personal message that I couldnt relate to. I think the instrumentation here, including a wind controller, was a bit overbearing. Her lack of mastery on the violin in Kildare Moon was more a show of bravery.

Attaining a level of competence and expertise is important before the writers personal feelings can find her way smoothly into the music. Dwelling on the style or personalization before the skill is dangerous. This album seems to have the cart before the horse and might need to achieve success with the fundamental qualities of music first. Theres harmony (staying on key), melody (stick with the simple and mundane, branching out from there to create style) and rhythm (best if it is balanced). Then add the spices that seem to have been shown often on this CD: timbre and texture and dynamics theyll be necessary, too. Given more time and experience, Sheryl has the potential to successfully interweave her powerful themes into more bewitching compositions.

-Meg Tarantella

This album can be purchased at Amazon, Insound, and CD Universe

More Album Reviews

About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home