Friday, 18 September 2015

Record Review - Donavon Frankenreiter

Published in the Shortlist section of The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday September 18.

Donavon Frankenreiter
The Heart
Liberator Music

Donavon Frankenreiter’s seventh studio long-player is as you’d expect. Nicely strummed acoustic guitars, bass and subtle percussion backing up, all mellow delivery and sonic sunshine – not a great departure from the sounds which have defined his decade-long solo career thus far.

Lyrically based around love – whether for a woman, his father, life in general, hence the title – and with most songs co-written with Grant-Lee Phillips (the renowned American singer-songwriter who also co-wrote with Frankenreiter on his 2008 cut, Pass It Around), it’s a pleasant enough sounding record that sits in the background without being in any way obtrusive. Longtime bassist Matt Grundy also contributes some guitar and backing vocals, helping add to a musical landscape that while well written and executed, is really devoid of any real bumps or turns, anything that’ll challenge or inspire.

There’s nothing wrong with The Heart, but there’s nothing particularly exciting about it either. This is one for the fans, no one else.
2.5/5


Samuel J. Fell


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