Raven - Rites of passage

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Click on Raven's CD cover to go check out their website. 

Raven - Rites of Passage

After listening to the new CD from Raven (Sadhaka) I wasn't quite sure what to do with it. I thought of pop music, didn't fit, not country for sure, not rap, blues or anything else for that matter, but since folk music (which it is) influenced many rockers, I thought I'd squeeze "Rites of Passage" in here. Lyrically strong, and musically flowing the CD is actually a pleasant reprieve from the everyday.

The production is the main flaw here as the music, while layered, seems to run together and the background vocals at times are no longer in the background as they seem to overpower the lead. As far as folk music is concerned, the writing and vocals are fine on their own merit. I don't say that to take anything away from this project, on the contrary, I can hear the potential the CD has, but slightly misses the mark.

Being exposed to many musical styles from her youth until now is surely an influence on her music that draws strength from the past as much as it does from the present. Relaxing at times and then there is a definite sense of humor added that still make the CD a worthwhile venture. As I mentioned, it could have been much better, and it does flirt with being very good at times. Better production and performing with more feeling the next time around would help carve the sound.

  ( 3.5 Stars out of 6 )