DAVID WAHLER Christmas at Home
Self-released (2018)
New age soundscape sculptor extraordinaire David Whaler
weaves a soothing, serene ode to Christmas on his digital-download only EP release,
Christmas at Home. As I have
recounted in my reviews of previous Wahler recordings, very few artists are as
adept as interweaving layers of electronic keyboards into a seamless whole as
this artist does (Kevin Kendle comes to mind, but as of yet, Kendle has yet to
release a holiday album). Wahler excels at melding his assorted keyboard
melodies, textures, and rhythms in a way to make the end result sound almost
organic in nature, rather than assembled bit by bit. This brief but extremely
enjoyable selection of five carols is no exception. Ranging from four and a half
minutes to just a literal tick below six, this EP is sublime at creating a mood
of relaxation and beauty, although admittedly the opening "God Rest Ye
Merry Gentlemen" does up the melody’s tempo and a subtle rhythm is in the
mix. From that opening, though, we are setting the meter for slow and serene (until
the concluding song). An ethereal take on "Oh Holy Night" features
harp and angelic chorales and well-placed ambient textures. "Silent Night"
begins with celestial tones set against echoed piano, steeped in beauty and
beautifully rendered. Twinkling tonalities and plucked guitar are featured on "What
Child Is This?" alongside gentle bell tones, as if chimes being blown by
gentle winds. Later, flute takes the lead as well as horn and the beautiful
base melody of the carol is brought to the forefront. Christmas at Home concludes with the spirited original composition "Snowflake"
and it energizes the conclusion with piano,
synth pads, and ambient elements coalescing into a playful celebration of
childlike exuberance with fast tempo rhythm carried not by beats but by the
music itself. A joyous conclusion to a too-short but ever so sweet musical delving
into the wonder of the holiday season.
No comments:
Post a Comment