Goldenrod
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The Tennessee singer-songwriter Teni Rane turns in an impressive debut, where 13 songs are full sincerity, warmth and diversity.
“Firefly” opens the listen with much coziness, where Rane’s expressive pipes are met with Dave Eggar’s graceful cello, and the title track follows with much emphasis on mood, as a poetic delivery unfolds with tremendous beauty and uses bowed strings sublimely.
Further along, “Caramel” mixes the soft guitar with a hint of mysteriousness amid the lush textures, while “Return To Dust” mesmerizes us with its strategic bass and agile melodies.
Closer to the end, “Cold Wind (Ghost)”, the best track, makes great use of emotive cello, gentle acoustic guitar, and light steel guitar from Roger Gustaffson, and “Don’t Look Down” exits with tremendous beauty, where Rane’s soaring voice tugs on the heartstrings alongside the sweet melodies.
An excellent first LP that’s full of eloquence and themes of loss, fear, identity and strength, this is a body of work designed for the aware and involved listener.
Travels well with: Crow And Gazelle- as above now so below; Without Willow- Left Behind