felix danilo. - Album Review: The Territories West
The latest album by
Felix Danilo finds him exploring different musical textures where the main (and
often only) instrument is a multi-layered guitar full of reverb. Although the
album is mostly instrumental, he is joined by singer Kayla McGee one song, and by
his SkeletonCrew bandmate Nicole Obren on two others. With the guitar he
provides repeated themes and gentle melodies which take us back to a time where
the electric guitar played in this manner was the height of popular music and
bands such as The Shadows ruled the charts. He does bring in additional
instruments where it makes sense, as well as some sound clips which definitely push
us into more Western areas, and while there are a multitude of styles being
portrayed here, there is always a concentration on restraint and melody as
opposed to being a shredder’s paradise. With the move more to guitar slingers
such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen in the last few decades
this is a very different approach indeed, much more reliant on feel and
ambience as opposed to sheer speed and numbers such as By His Fathers Grave
certainly owe a great deal to Hank Marvin.
The few vocal tracks do take this album in a quite different direction, and a special mention must be made of Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) which is treated in a far gentler and slower manner than the original. Although there are some keyboards delicately overlaid, I do get the impression this was recorded live in the studio with Nicole and Felix responding to each other as the timing is wonderfully off here and there which gives this life and energy while staying restrained. Kayla’s voice is very different, and the wonderfully picked and reverbed guitar works very well indeed on Heartlands which in some ways is dream pop, and others still Western, with the guitar often the most prominent sound.
But for the most part this an instrumental album, one which wants to take us on a journey through the Wild West with its evocative soundscapes which often feel like a cinematic journey, except for your ears and it is up to the listener to make of it what they will and fill in the pictures in their mind. Overall this is a well-paced album which lets the guitar provide the melody without ever losing sight of the importance and relationship of the notes to each other.
About felix danilo.
Felix has also worked under the name with vocalist Nicole Obren. He plays a variety of instruments, composing indie rock, atmospheric/ ambient, and house.
He has been playing guitar for over 10 years and has achieved a Licentiate level diploma with the London College of Music. He has played and performed in a number of bands, reaching the Rockquest regional finals, winning the Battle of the Teen Bands, and toured with Elemeno P and Jordan Luck.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for felix danilo.
Releases
Other Reviews By Kev Rowland
Shepherds Reign - Single Review: Ua Masa’a
23 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
When it comes to different cultures and music there is no doubt we are incredibly blessed in Aotearoa, and surely anyone into metal, wherever they are in the world, are aware of Alien Weaponry and the way they blend groove metal and their Maori roots. However, what may not be known by those outside New Zealand is that there is another band down here who are also making huge waves in their own country, Shepherds Reign.
Read More...
Brawler NZHC - EP Review: Hard Truths
23 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Over the last 12 months I have been fortunate enough to catch Hamilton hardcore outfit Brawler NZHC a few times, and although I have always been a little concerned that singer Joe Steiner is going to pass out before he finally removes the balaclava, I always know we are in for a high energy show with plenty of angst and passion. They have also impressed NZ hardcore royalty along the way, with Luke Manson of Xile joining in on vocals for Pay The Price.
Read More...
Mice on Stilts - Album Review: I Am Proud of You
22 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Some ten years ago I was a member of the ProgArchives Crossover Team (yes, to be allowed to be included on PA each band is judged by a committee). We were asked to pass our critical eyes and ears over the somewhat strangely named Mice on Stilts and I was somewhat surprised, nay amazed, to discover they hailed from Auckland.
Read More...
Gig Review #1: Homegrown 2023 @ Wellington Waterfront - 18/03/2023
19 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
I have been waiting for this festival for ages, well over 12 months in fact as last year’s had to be cancelled due to Covid, but finally it was here. I flew down to Wellington in the morning and caught up with the MNZ crew of Reef, River (read River's review here), Amanda, Garry, and Bevan for brunch: two reviewers and four photographers meant we were one of the largest media contingents at Homegrown 2023.
Read More...
On Tick - EP Review: Planet Chrome
17 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
When On Tick released their debut album, Nothing New, towards the end of 2021 they were already in a state of change as it was recorded as a trio of brothers Brendan (vocals and drums) and Aidan O'Loughlin (vocals, guitar) along with bassist Matt Hammond, who also produced it, but they had now brought in Matt Perry to play bass while Matt H had moved to lead guitar. In 2023 things have changed again as Matt H is now concentrating on Pale Flag, while Matt P is also not involved any longer, so it is back to just Brendan and Aidan.
Read More...
Written By Wolves - Single Review: Give 'Em Hell
16 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Written by Wolves may not have released any new material in 2022, but everyone knew the boys were working on their next album, and if you were fortunate enough to see them play then you will have already heard Give 'Em Hell as they were using this track as the opening number. In many ways this encapsulates everything which is Written By Wolves in one song – if you want to know why so many of us keep raving about them, then this will demonstrate why.
Read More...
Anthony Coulter - Single Review: Younger
16 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Here we have the latest single from Anthony Coulter’s album Pilgrimage To the Sea, where he says he is not getting any younger, something I can really relate to given I am 60 in just a few months and certainly act a lot more than I used to. Mind you, I don’t think every day is the same, which is the same for Anthony who yearns to be younger.
Read More...
BAkeR - EP Review: Eternal Now
16 Mar 2023 // by Kev Rowland
Mike Baker has been involved in both the Australian and NZ music scenes since the Eighties, running the import/export operations for Australia’s Hot Records at one point, releasing an album himself as a member of Not Really Anything and also managing Glide. Last year he created his alter ego BAkeR and started recording this five-track EP, entitled Eternal Now, with Daniel Hewson (the son of the late Paul Hewson of Dragon).
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- BOY'S A LIAR PT. 2
PinkPantheress And Ice Spice - FLOWERS
Miley Cyrus - KILL BILL
SZA - LAST NIGHT
Morgan Wallen - DIE FOR YOU (REMIX)
The Weeknd And Ariana Grande - SURE THING
Miguel - PEOPLE
Libianca - ESCAPISM.
RAYE feat. 070 Shake - PLAYERS
Coi Leray - CALM DOWN
Rema And Selena Gomez
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
