Offering 14 tracks ranging from 2:21 minutes to just under 6 minutes, Evelyn Dowling, Jamie Field and Andrew Garman have concocted a rather pleasant and well conceived album that may appeal to those familiar with bands like Iona, Karnataka, Clannad, Renaissance or even October Project. Although their music is quite a lot softer than the aforementioned bands, the subtle use of nice harmonies and a beautifully wispy voice from Evelyn evoke a series of themes and emotions that allow the band to truly deliver on all fronts.
While originally listening to this CD I thought that Evelyn's voice was becoming lost in the middle of proceedings, however, a slight twirling of the volume knob corrected things immediately. To do this album justice, therefore, please don't fall into the same trap as I did by keeping the volume down. Admittedly Evelyn's voice, while pretty wispy in the softer sections, is still incredibly angelic and surreal. She has a truly beautiful voice and deserves to be heard properly.
Similarly, the compositions themselves each portray exactly the spirit and emotions that often well up inside us. Indeed, one of the tracks is called "Spirit" and pays homage to the synergy that women possess with their deepest feelings. To say this is an emotionally charged album replete with gorgeous melodies, stunning vocal work and beautifully conceived ideas, would be an understatement.
I am often left wondering what new music will appear on my desk to review and in an age where the MTV's and other TV channels of the music world bombard our senses with a barrage of absolute rubbish, it is truly rewarding to hear something so simple and yet refreshing as this band has produced. With a perfectly appropriate amount of instrumental accompaniment, Mermaid Kiss have unleashed a really mesmeric album full of wonderful songs that should please those whose musical journey wanders towards the softer side of life.
While not a total classic, this is still a great album and would make the perfect gift to placate the war office, if, perchance you have done the unthinkable and happened to have upset her. As the material touches deeply on and within the more feminine side of the human psyche, it was no wonder my wife loved this album. And no, I wasn't attempting the oft-difficult task of making up after a typical inter-marital battle. For that task we call upon the services of the U.N.
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