• Band / Artist : Morgan – mySpace
• Genre : Classical / Alternative
• Sample Track Download : Kiss is in the Chemical
• Buy CD : CD Baby
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 8.5 out of 10

I have to be honest. I heard one track from the album via the Dark Compass podcast and thought, “That’s an interesting sound”. When I got the album in, I don’t think I was quite prepared for what unraveled from my CD player. Actually that’s probably an understatement. When I put the album on, I think my shy reserved side, had a stroke and my darker side got a bit overloaded. This certainly isn’t an album, you put on for light relief, or maybe it is, depending on what floats your boat.

Consequently, unreasonably or not, the CD dropped down in the review pecking order, not because it wasn’t good, but rather I wasn’t quite ready to review it. A good while passed and I found myself listening to the album again with fresh ears. As sometimes happens, with an album that jars me first time around, this time around I was ready, almost eager to get my teeth into it and it’s almost like my aural senses have been reborn.

I’m sure anyone who is familiar with Morgan’s work, will understand some people will find it aloof, almost unapproachable. I’m sure a lot of this is down to the almost dramastic (a word I made up, many moons ago, when I combined dramatic with drastic), theatrical underpinnings. At time it reminds me a lot of Kate Bush, but here there is a much darker side. This darker side feels very sexual, almost ritualistic. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an album for perverts, only that it has a very adult feel to it.

The album opens with “The King”, which probably isn’t the lightest way to open an album, but second time around, I found my self being drawn in, no not drawn in, more like dragged, but with my aural fingers letting go, without much of a fight. “La Mer Enchante” begins with the most gorgeous, operatic vocals. This is probably the track that should have opened the album. “Nice Day” is an interesting track, with a real sense of almost fragile sanity. Deliciously fractured.

The later half of the album, is a lot more relaxed, but it still has a quantifiably dark edge. The album rounds off with “Sonnet” a weighty 7 minutes, or there abouts.

This is an album that drags you in, roughs you up and then casts you aside, but you can’t help coming back for more. Delicious.

Conclusion : This is a difficult album to recommend. Not that I don’t whole heartedly love it, but it’s one that may take you a while to really appreciate. Well worth it though.