You Wanted To Be The Shore But Instead You Were The Sea
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
Listen to You Wanted To Be The Shore But Instead You Were The Sea
An Australian singer-songwriter, poet and author who used to front the band Bloom, Natalie D-Napoleon planted herself on the porch of her 100 year old cottage to write this very thoughtful album, which is her first new batch of songs in 8 years.
“Thunder Rumor” starts the listen with warm intimacy as fluent acoustic guitar and Napoleon’s powerful, pretty pipes guide the folksy strummer that’s a bit haunting, and “How To Break A Spell” follows with a poetic approach as strategic piano and playful drums enter the moving Americana.
Near the middle, the playfully plucked bass and creative percussion of “Soft” help make this one of the album’s best as Napoleon displays diverse singing, while “No Longer Mine” builds into a rugged yet melodic country rocker that you could and would want to dance to. “Gasoline & Liquor”, another excellent track, then recruits an orchestral quality as aching pedal steel adds much eloquence to the reflective climate.
Closer to the end, the nearly spiritual, dreamy, “Reasons” showcases Napoleon’s soaring, flawless singing alongside soft, agile guitar and strings, and “Broken” exits the listen with layered vocals, an emotive spirit and a timeless dimension to her multifaceted songwriting.
A very wise album that thematically highlights the complexities of women, Napoleon takes help from pianist/drummer Dan Phillips, bassist/producer James Connolly and guitarist/pedal steel/mandolin player Doug Pettibone, and it results in a vulnerable, inspiring and profoundly articulate journey that truly touches on the human experience in immeasurable ways.
Travels well with: Melody Duncan- Wolf Song; Megan Lacy- Salvation