At just over seven minutes, the frantic break grabs the album by the scruff of the neck as the electric 12-string gets a serious once-over. But the bar is raised - along with the tempo - on Footprints, which is sure to be epic at live shows. On the fragile yet powerful Choices, he plays slide and acoustic guitar (obviously not at the same time), Harmonica and Bass, as well as singing one of the best vocal lines on one of the best songs on the album. But it’s only a taste of the musicianship to come. On Twist, he plays his 11-string slide guitar, Harmonica, gives the rolling beat with his stomp box, and of course, sings. The Bob Marley-inspired Twist continues the positive vibe as Xavier begins to show why he is essentially the one-man band. The cruisy drumming and gentle guitar helps add to the positive feeling, which establishes the sentiment which symbolises Xavier so well early in the piece. It’s rather reminiscent of Let Me Be, which can only ever be a good thing. White Moth draws on all of his best moments from the past five years and throws them together in this melting pot of Blues & Roots magic.īetter People opens the album in appropriate style, with lyrics that embody much of who Xavier Rudd is: “ People saving whales, And giving your thanks to our seas, My respect to the ones in the forest, Standing up for our old trees”, immediately followed by the brilliant chorus: See what I mean about it being a best-of album, just without any songs you’ve heard before? But it fits this description in the best possible way.
(but is infinitely heavier) and the delicate, impassioned vocals and instrumentals that have become synonymous with Xavier accentuate the brilliant moments of the album. The uplifting, “happy” songs - in the vein of probably his most famous song, Let Me Be - are here his more rockin’, serious side shines through - as Footprint channels G.B.A. White Moth is largely more of the same from Xavier, yet somehow the sound remains fresh and the songs are as engaging as ever. While relative contemporaries like John Butler have been accused of commercialising their sound and somewhat leaving their ‘roots’, fans can level no such allegation at Xavier. It’s been the trademark of Xavier since he first started performing at the beginning of the century, and - excluding his live performances - never has it been more prevalent than on White Moth.
But it is not the lyrics that lead the line here, it’s the discernible passion with which the music has been made. The many influences that inspire Xavier in both life and music come through on White Moth, with subject matter ranging from environmental and political concerns to personal relationships and individual freedom and choice. From the opening bars of Better People, the album draws on all of the strongest elements of Xavier’s previous records and offers up 14 tracks that draw on - yet equally expand on - his previous efforts. Review Summary: The heartfelt songwriting and sheer musical talent shines through on yet another excellent Xavier Rudd album.
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