Pen Name 2008-02-18

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Most of Xavier Rudd's albums stick to a recipe of slide guitar, didgeridoo and strong lyrics. Great recipe for his first 3 albums and his latest White Moth. (Best of this recipe: Solace) but I want an artist to evolve. This album does this by branching out and introducing new sounds. Great album.

MW 2007-06-27

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

I bought this CD because I couldn't get The Message out of my head after hearing it on the radio. I knew nothing about the band and was happy to find that there are many tracks I find myself playing over and over. Food in the Belly is another great one. I love the lyrics and the lead vocalist sounds a bit like Paul Simon, but edgier. Great buy.

Lulu 2007-04-17

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

A brilliant songwriter/musician. Excellent sound. Outstanding lyrics. Something very subtle (in a positive way, not meant as in boring or staid) and charming about "Food in the Belly" by Xavier Rudd. Loving the song "Messages" have listened multiple times, each time, I slip a bit further into the music.

Shannon Freeman 2007-03-05

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

This was an impulse purchase; I wanted to sample something a little fresh, something new, and went with Xavier Rudd. The college crowd should be duly impressed with this outing. The rest of us may have to let it sink in over time.

There are some lilting tunes amid random cacophany on this experiment; the better ones soothe the ears. Rudd is not a poet in the ranks with Dylan or Mitchell, but he gets a fair amount of social commentary under the skin.

To be fair, this is something that most younger music fans should take notice of, because at least it takes some dares. I also give credit for Rudd incorporating his self proclaimed mentor Paul Simon. I didn't know he had such admiration until I read some reviews, but I found myself saying " Hmm.... some of this sounds like ' Graceland' era Paul Simon." If you want something that is a touch edgy, a bit melodic and a little profound, pick this up.

Cold Head 2007-02-01

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Xavier Rudd has made a very special album here. What a great wintertime release. Using instruments from his native Australia to create some of the more interesting musical arrangements since Ben Harper or say Sufjan Stevens. The use of the didgeridoo he really captures a landscape we rarely experience here in the states. This the best use of the didgeridoo since Ben Harper's 'Both Sides of the Gun'. Xavier's ballads are some of the more touching in recent memory. Any fan of Mason Jennings, Ben Harper, Sufjan Stevens or Iron & Wine will not be disappointed. Best album of the year so far.