When one thinks of stories music can tell, lyrics immediately come to mind. It’s easy to connect with a song when it’s lyrics speak to you or inspire you to think in a different way. There’s something special when a song can tell a story, or create a specific mood, with its instrumentals alone. MVI’s “In The Rain Shadow” does just that and once you start listening, you won’t want to stop.
The first track, “High Desert,” begins with a playful acoustic guitar intro before the bass sneaks to join in on the fun. The dusty desert aesthetic instantly sets in when the instruments swell for the first time. The percussion kicks with the pattering of footsteps underneath the strings until it’s time for the drums to make an impression of their own, while the serenity of the violins creates a forward momentum when paired with the melodies of the acoustic guitar. “High Desert” proves to be exactly what it says on the title and will sweep you away with its musical charm and adventurous spirit.
“Stillness (For Will)” is an emotional track. The melancholic intro of violins and flutes pulls at your heart and draws you in by the grip it has until the track hits a revelation at around the 1:20 mark. The emotional flutes melt into a bright and bouncy beat that creates an air of new discovery. The tropical percussion creates the air of adventure and mystery that’s easy to get lost in. The track never loses its emotional core during its dynamic shifting in sounds, keeping the emotional tone that drew the listener in at the start. It makes the track a stand-out at the point it stands in the album, pulling at your heart through the power of instrumental alone.
The follow-up track, “Roadrunner,” is also an intoxicating listen. The curious violins and powerful guitar riffs and percussion to lure the listener into the track and guide them among the bouncing beats of the drums and bass. It’s easy to melt into the beautiful sounds of the song before the sax takes command around the 1:25 mark and adds a whole new dimension to the sound. “Roadrunner” is a track that shows off the musicianship of MVI as the jazzy motifs fuse with the powerful percussions, fusing with the finesse of the strings to bring it all together to make it a must-listen on the album.
The title track and outro, “In The Rain Shadow,” The contemplative guitar is met with a heavy violin to create an emotional tone that’s impossible to ignore. It then moves to a more contemplative mood with a serene melody from the flute. The energy is kept high by the percussion, with groovy drums and rhythmic maraca shakes that are easy to move to. The evolution is dynamic and ethereal, creating a sonic landscape of mystery and intrigue that brings a satisfying end to the journey.
MVI’s “In The Rain Shadow” is a powerful listening experience that must be heard to be believed. From adventurous and high-energy grooves such as “High Desert” and “The Gorge,” to tracks with a slower or more emotional aesthetic in the form of “Stillness (For Will)” or “In the Rain Shadow,” the stories that these songs manage to tell with sound alone is powerful. “In The Rain Shadow” is an album that will take you on a journey and I recommend it to everyone.
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