There’s some gospel shouting on Go Down Moses, but these songs are mostly mellow. It’s a self-titled album, so the music is a reflection of Natalie Merchant, who’s long past the rock-party days of 10000 Maniacs, but trying to appreciate her music takes patience.
Occasionally there’s a payoff; puttering horns over marching drums make for desolate beauty on Seven Deadly Sins; but usually not. The elegant string arrangement on The End is a technical marvel, for example, but the vocal melodies are no match aesthetically.
my rating : 3 of 5
2014