Moonlight Beach (2022)
Rick Erlien’s Moonlight Beach epitomizes the best
aspects of an EP release, i.e., leaving the listener wanting more, yet also
sated as one would be after a serving of small plates from a great restaurant.
These four solo piano tracks give ample evidence that should Erlien release a
full-length recording, it will likely garner praise and please many fans of
simple, uncomplicated, yet carefully nuanced solo piano instrumentals.
Riffing off the title of the EP, one might compare the four
songs to the four phases of the moon, i.e., it’s always the same moon, but it’s
viewed differently, and each, perhaps, evoking a different emotional reaction
from the person viewing it. This may reflect her/his locale/environment or
maybe her/his mood the time. Making statements about the emotion a piece of
music will evoke in the listener is, of course, the highly subjective opinion
of the reviewer. Longtime readers of my reviews know that typically I do draw
some conclusions of music’s evocation, but I always try to paint the picture of
being my, and mine alone, opinion.
All that said, the four pieces on the EP do strike me as
being on the reflective side of the spectrum, but not in a melancholic or
somber way. Instead, there are elements of pleasant reflection, a dash of
nostalgic remembrance here and there, and subtle elements of cheer and
happiness. Erlien displays solid control of tone, sustain, and nuance, no
matter the specific mood or tempo of the piece. "Moonlight Beach All
Around" is softly romantic and sometimes transitions to a subtle yet
noticeable dramatic mood, while "Moonlight Beach On the Sand Looking at
the Water" comes across more reflective and introspective. The remaining
two tracks also display a duality at times, exhibiting both a pensive and a
contrasting more active side as well. However, Erlien maintains a cohesive
musical vision throughout. It's a solid collection of beach-inspired
pianoscapes.
ALBUM DETAILS
All compositions composed and performed by Rick Erlien.
Album produced by Rick Erlien
Album recorded by Rick Erlien at Beach Recording Music, Encinitas, CA
Album mastered by Sean M. Lennon, Control C, Oakland, California
Album photo by Rick Erlien
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