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Mr. Gil

Light And Sound

Written by: PP on 13/04/2011 14:42:03

Mr Gil is the solo project of Mirek Gil, the guitarist in the Polish progressive rock bands Collage and Believe, though he also has a backing band of sorts. He's put out two full lengths prior to "Light And Sound", a beautifully layered acoustic record that carries all the tell-tale signs of singer-songwriters, but naturally also contains nuances from his progressive rock side.

Much like another acoustic project I recently reviewed, "Origins" by Weh, Mr. Gil also positions himself against the folk category within acoustic acts. There are moments where it sounds like he is exploring the Nordic landscapes through sonic means, but given the addition of cello, piano and even some bagpipe if I can hear right, the majority of "Light And Sound" deals with Irish/Celtic folk. Not in the happy-go-lucky means of Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys, but in the soft, emotional manner, where the inner beauty of the soundscape is much more important than a sing-a-long chorus.

That's both an advantage and disadvantage for the record. On one hand, it creates immersive soundscapes which make the listener think and analyze the minute detail and small nuances of the music, absorbing the thought that has been put into the recording and the numerous layers of different instruments. But on the other hand, it doesn't make for an amazing record. The songs are good individually, showcasing good songwriting talent, but lack the ability to draw the absent-minded listener aside from a couple of tracks. Decent acoustic folk, but not impressive by any means.

Download: Best Regards
For the fans of: Green Carnation, Weh
Listen: Myspace

Release date 21.01.2011
Electrum Production