Album Review: Snowblink - Inner Classics

Snowblink
Inner Classics
Arts & Crafts
Snowblink.org

When artists call themselves singer/songwriters, they either fall into the category of a dull repetition of the overused guitarist/singer musical act or an artist with an incredible understanding of the genre’s potential. Snowblink, the musical duo of Daniela Gesundheit and Dan Goldman, shows that very understanding on their second album Inner Classics, offering complex and emotional music strengthened by Gesundheit’s lyrics and the simplicity of their music.

There’s no doubt this album is distinctively different from others in the genre. Written in a cottage on Lake Erie in winter, an attic studio in Toronto in the early spring and a guesthouse in Malibu, California, it’s easy to see how these enviable vacation spots inspired the musical duo. The album is characterized by Gesundheit’s simple plucking guitar and the assortment of sounds Goldman adds for support. Gesundheit’s vocals hold through like an airy lullaby, inexplicably making the album seem like a lazy afternoon spent miles away from anything that matters.

But Snowblink’s real ability to expand on the singer/songwriter genre stems from Gesundheit’s confidence. In “Goodbye Eyes,” she shows no fear as she sings nothing but music scales except for the last line of the song. “Inner Mini-Mississippi” proves the best music in this genre is led by vocals, and Gesundheit boldly leads the track through a progression of gentle guitar to intense chords to a confident a capella section. Snowblink’s understanding of the potential of the singer/songwriter music style is what ultimately makes Inner Classics a complete success.

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