Release date: November 1.
This is the first time I have come across Andrew Lentz, aka *Splash!* I think reviewing a debut album is always interesting as it captures a moment of artistry, which is the foundation for what may come. Sometimes it is a springboard, and sometimes something else!
I will turn first to what Andrew Lentz said of the album,
“People often ask me why the rose? It’s in my logo, it’s in the title of the first single I released, and it’s prominently featured in the album artwork for my upcoming album “Breaking the Dam.” Well, like the name *Splash!* and many other aspects of this project, it sort of found me. It has been a motif in some of my favourite novels (Stephen King’s Dark Tower series and Philip Pullman’s Book of Dust series, to name a few). It’s also an important symbol in @carolynlovewell_ and @lailalula’s #sleepovermysteryschool, which was another important catalyst for this whole endeavour (and also where I got the name *Splash!*). I think the best way to sum it up is with this image of the three of swords from The Alchemical Tarot by @robertmplace. There are many, many things in life that wound our hearts, and often our response is to build strong walls around ourselves in hopes of avoiding the same hurt in the future. The downside of this is that the walls we build to keep out the bad often end up keeping out the good too. Breaking the Dam is about learning to tear down these walls and letting those trapped emotions flow—to rise up and be known by us. The rose represents the beauty that we can make of our lives, in even our most difficult moments, when we engage with them in a good way.”
And now the review:
“Under the Rose” opens up with some pleasing Spanish guitar and a story told in troubadour style. I liked it! It took me into “Scarborough Fair” territory. It was interesting musically and lyrically.
“Orphic Hymn” (to Mnemosyne) remains in a sort of folk/mediaeval style. Mnemosyne, for those not versed in Greek mythology, was the goddess of memory and mother of the nine muses. The song is an uplifting muse in itself.
“Answer” is a lovely, uplifting ballad. The instrumentalisation is pleasing, the violin in particular, and the harmonised (double-tracked, I think) vocals set a very high bar.
“When the Well Runs Dry” is a slower track, using the drums to give a heavier beat. It is a type of song that I would imagine playing in one of those late-night clubs, really late at night when the last punters are thinking of the morning. I’ll go further. I like this one, and it has that jazz feel; those touches of trumpet and the beat are jazz-infused. One for the jazz age president.
“Here Comes the Flood” plays with double vocals, Hayley Anne syncing in on the chorus. It returns to a folk style and I enjoyed the drums again that kick in mid-song. I believe this is to be the single. It probably wouldn’t have been my choice for single; I liked the previous track better, but I can see why it’s been chosen.
“Kafka on the Shore” opens with the piano and this uplifting vocal as the moon shines down on a sleepy desert. The lyrics are fascinating when you listen. I am sure if Kafka was contemplating the pendulum that moves the world, he would appreciate this one!
“Always Greener” is as close to pop as the album gets, but pop with a very Spanish evening-infused vibe. The beat is great; you can sway to it and, again, so much of interest with the instruments.
“Remember Me” enters a “transendental air made for me and you.” It was a cheerful tune, moving well through the different changes. Not my favourite on the album, but a solid album track.
“Light and Shadows” is a gentle number; it has a simple beat and a built-in sway. It builds up well and the chorus works.
“God/Willing” reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel a bit. Again, I like the slightly heavier drums that are up in the mix and give the track a kick.
“Love and Ignorance” closes the album with a reflective muse to that special girl. One little feature of this album is the songwriter’s use of a wide spread of interesting words and a few little working cliche’s (fits like a glove, etc.), but it had me paying attention!
In summary, this was a total surprise for me. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t this. It is intelligent modern music with so much going on. There are no fillers; every song grabs attention and its this unusual mix of mediaeval, Spanish, folk and jazz. The musical group playing on this album is all spot on. It’s weird because, although it’s not trying to be commercial and I’m not sure which radio station would pick them up; they are very catchy and I would surely attract a late-night listening audience. At the end of the day, good music is good music and this is one of the most interesting releases I have heard this year (and I listen to a lot of new releases). I want more.
Standout tracks: “When the Well Runs Dry,” “Under the Rose,” and “Always Greener.”
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You can stream music from *Splash!* here
Personnel:
Andrew S. Lentz, vocals, acoustic guitar
Hayley Anne, Vocals
Shannon Frid Rubin, Violin
Matthew Blake bass, musical saw
Zach Miller, Drums
Matt Patrick: electric guitar, various
Eric Songer, Trumpet
By Lorraine Foley