Saline Grace – The Whispering Woods (Album – Deeper Waters Records)
Genre/Influences: Gothic, Folk-Rock, Dark-Wave.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: This is the fourth full-length album by German project Saline Grace. Set up and driven by Ricardo Hoffmann, this new work features a guest drummer while the previous album featured a guest singer.
Content: The main influences and global mood hanging over this work aren’t that different from previous works and yet not exactly the same. It’s a melancholic and graceful composition mixing guitar, piano, chimes and a few more instruments together with electronic arrangements. Most of the songs feature vocals but you’ll also notice a few instrumental cuts.
+ + + : Saline Grace deals with a familiar sound and yet there’s something very personal running through the composition. The songs are supported with a sweet and melancholic flavor. The last part of the work especially reveals great, refined songs like “The Train” and the instrumental “Healing Woods”. I like the guitar parts running through this album injecting this melancholic spirit.
– – – : I can’t say the debut tracks are hesitant but not that special. You have to be patient to hear the best cuts right at the end.
Conclusion: A melancholic, artistic and relaxing travel through the sound universe of Saline Grace.
Best songs: “The Train”, “Healing Woods”, “Cold War Child”.
Rate: 7½.
Artist & Label: www.salinegrace.de / www.facebook.com/salinegrace.dwr
About Saline Grace
Saline Grace is a German Gothic and Dark-Wave project led by composer Ricardo Hoffmann, supported by bass player Ines Hoffmann. Hoffmann is also known as composer and poet of the avant-garde band Nobility Of Salt.
Saline Grace released its debut album, “Border Town Shades”, in September 2007, followed by “Blacksmith’s Fire” on CD in 2017. The fourth album, “The Whispering Woods”, reviewed above, followed in 2023.
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