The Illusion Of Silence – Gardens In The Dark (Album – Shadowplay Records)

Genre/Influences: Neo-Folk, Cinematographic, Neo-Classic.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Italian multi-instrumentalist Luca Bonandini has released his fourth production to date. I already got the opportunity to discover previous releases, but it took a bit more time and work to achieve this new opus, which has been composed together with numerous guest artists.

Content: The Illusion Of Silence moves on where previous works stopped; an artistic creation mainly created by authentic instruments like cello, viola, flute, trumpet, bassoon, piano, guitar ao. The songs are filled with reverie, which is also true because of the poetry inspired by Emily Bronté, Emily Dickinson, Christina Rossetti and E.A. Poe. The different instruments inject authenticity to the production, which resulted in pure emotion. Luca Bonandini is also singing, but also got the contribution of a female guest vocalist for 2 songs.

+ + + : This is the kind of work I can only, but recommend. The sound is authentic and the songs are sensible. The work is not only inspired by poetry, but the music becomes poetry; a delicate caress for the mind. The point where melancholia has been transformed into beauty, like the sensation you’ll get listening to “Morning”, “Gardens In The Dark” and “Eldorado”. The trumpet tune on “Eldorado” is one of the magic moments of the album, but I also have to mention the fusion between piano and cello on “Morning”. The delicacy emerging at “Cry” is another great moment. I also have to say a word about the artistic digipak of the CD format.

– – – : This album is not reinventing this music genre, but I don’t have real minus points to mention.

Conclusion: The illusion Of Silence is a project that has seriously improved most elements of the production, reaching a high artistic level and having accomplished with this album a true masterpiece.

Best songs: “Morning”, “Eldorado”, “Gardens In The Dark”, “Cry”, “Come The Wind”.

Rate: (9).

Artist: www.facebook.com/theillusionofsilence1

Label: www.shadowplay-records.com / www.facebook.com/ShadowplayRecords

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