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Album Review

UniversalDice Releases “Slip Away”

UniversalDice’s latest single, “Slip Away,” unveils a lyrical tapestry rich with depth and nuance, inviting listeners to delve into themes of existence, love, and mortality. Crafted by songwriter and frontman Gerry Dantone, these lyrics serve as the beating heart of the band’s musical journey, challenging conventions and prompting introspection.

The opening stanza sets the tone for the introspective journey ahead, with imagery evocative of dawn breaking and the fleeting passage of time. “Wake, for morning’s flung the stone / That put the stars to flight,” beckons the listener to awaken to the transient beauty of existence, reminding us that each day is a precious gift to be cherished.

As the song unfolds, Dantone’s lyrical prowess shines through, weaving a narrative that oscillates between moments of profound melancholy and fleeting euphoria. Lines such as “How sad a heart that cannot ache / Is never drunk with love” resonate with a raw emotional intensity, underscoring the inherent vulnerability of the human experience.

Throughout “Slip Away,” Dantone’s lyricism transcends mere words, offering a poignant meditation on the nature of life and death. The refrain, “Don’t let life slip away,” serves as a rallying cry to seize the moment and embrace the full spectrum of human emotion, even in the face of uncertainty and impermanence.

But it’s not just existential musings that define the lyrical landscape of “Slip Away.” The song also delves into the complexities of love and connection, exploring the transformative power of human relationships amidst the vastness of the universe. “Can you feel the blinding light / That warms us from above?” Dantone asks, juxtaposing the cosmic with the deeply personal in a poignant reflection on the enduring power of love.

One of the most striking aspects of Dantone’s lyricism is its ability to transcend the boundaries of the individual self, offering a universal message that resonates with listeners across cultures and generations. Themes of mortality and meaning permeate the song, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living authentically in the face of uncertainty.

Musically, “Slip Away” serves as the perfect vehicle for Dantone’s lyrical exploration, with its soaring melodies and dynamic instrumentation complementing the emotional depth of the lyrics. The song’s gradual crescendo mirrors the ebb and flow of life itself, building to a climax that is both cathartic and transformative.

“Slip Away” stands as a testament to UniversalDice’s commitment to crafting music that challenges the status quo and prompts reflection. Gerry Dantone’s lyrical prowess shines through, offering a poignant meditation on life, love, and the human condition. As the song fades into the ether, we are left with a lingering sense of wonder and awe, reminded of the beauty and fragility of existence.

 

Patrick Orr 

Album Review

Paul Terry, Aptøsrs & Cellarscape unite on bold new album “Alternative Piano Club”

Combining his three artistic alter egos, Paul Terry presents an awe-inspiring new 12-track album, “Alternative Piano Club,” written in collaboration with Aptøsrs and Cellarscape. This is an album-length voyage of music that blends acoustic, rock, and piano-driven cinematic sounds.

Torn between this complex emotional spectrum, all the while the piano remains at its core throughout. Paul Terry opens his “Memento Mori (Chromogenic Phase)” contemplatively, creating a solemn, reflective mood. Cellarscape’s “Three Years Of Roses is warmer, whereas Aptøsrs’ “Questionnaires is much more textured as a large, sculptural post-rock.

“Dave’s Theme,” written by Paul Terry, musically expands the narrative with a touch of cinematic elevation that aligns well. “We Shape The Clouds” by Cellarscape is fluffy and heart-warming, “Writers Behind The Curtain” is somber, more narrative. We are all together in “A Place We Made,” an honest, intimate, emotionally grounded space.

The project contains vocal warmth and cultural depth in the song “This Is My Home by Silas Miami & Lana Crowster. Proceeding in a totally different direction is the stronger emotional clarity of Paul Terry’s acoustic storytelling on “Any Time You Want To Fly” and “No Sleep Has Come.” Cellarscape presents a wide, spacious atmospheric moment in “Cygnus,” while Aptøsrs ends with “Rust Mountain (Monochrome Piano Version),” a simple gem that brings the project full circle.

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The mixing of Sam Okell and Adam Noble, the mastering of Alex Wharton and Robin Schmidt have, in many ways, brought their polish to it while still making it feel human. “Alternative Piano Club” is a work entity, where three musical personalities met and talk mind in the same emotional language.

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Album Review

Mt. Kili Mt. Kili delivers quiet power and honest reflection on “The Noticer” (album)

Mt. Kili

Mt. Kili’s latest album, “The Noticer,” is a warm, contemplative acoustic folk album that finds beauty in the minutiae of life itself, as calm and bare as anyone would call it. Songwriter Rick Sichta of Asheville leads the project with delicate instrumentation and outspoken lyrics, bringing forth an experience that can be both personal and universal. 

Recorded at Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, the music is refined and mastered by Grammy Award-winning Julian Dreyer and David Glasser. The current lineup still embodies this vision, with Matt Shepard holding down a heavy rhythmic backbone and Laney Barnett’s violin and vocals rounding out the sound, creating emotion.

There is a story and emotion hidden within each track. The EP opens with “Don’t Start a War,” which opens contemplatively, begging for peace rather than war. The title track, “The Noticer,” exudes a sense of awareness and the beauty of watching life unfold. “The Rain Song” features a soothing, near-meditative vibe.

With a hopeful reflection, “The Road Isn’t as Long as It Seems” is about perspective and perseverance. “Her Song” is pretty much a musical love letter, and “Kyle” is defined by its character-driven narrative. With “The Weather Report,” the change of feeling is reflected, while “Scars “ and “Strawberry Fields” hint at memories and softening imagery. “All in Good Time” concludes the record patiently, a soothing sigh of comfort. “The Noticer” is a reflective album with a soft reminder that sometimes the smallest moments mean the most.

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