The beauty is not hard to find
Posted January 02, 2009
By Nathan,
What separated the Esterlyn’s debut project, Lamps, from other pop/rock acts was the passion of lead singer’s Luke Cadwell’s voice and his artistic songwriting. One thing that that is not lacked on Mending the Meaning acoustic EP, is the vocals and the lyrics which is only amplified in the five song EP.
With the intention of keeping things simple teaming up with producer Rob Hawkins (Fireflight, Nevertheless, Jackson Waters) certainly was not a bad thing. The strings of the first song, “sweet love”, are finely tuned and are reminiscent of Jon Forman’s solo EPs which and allow listeners to easily listen to the well crafted lyrics’ that speak of God’s grace (I stop again take a breath/I think about my past regrets /A smile breaks and finds a place,/In this valley I see your grace’.). The piano driven "Esther" is an epic track where Cadwells vocals shine and where message of God’s faithfulness to the weak is passionate rather than cliche.
The vocal hooks is strong spot on virtually all points on Mending the Meaning but particularly on the acoustic guitar led “beauty to be found. The soft “how great is your love” is very complex using the most verity of instruments that enhance the melancholy tone of the lyrically simple tune. The contrast to “how great is your love” is free the light” where Cadwell’s vocals take precedence over the music to drive a song with a “lamps” like message (‘Won’t you free the light/Let it come inside/Fall to your knees/Surrender your life… Can this life be new/Could it be the one to change you’).
The music is well crafted but the passionate lyrics are really where Esterlyn strikes gold again. Great ballads such as these will be an excellent addition to the band’s arsenal. Those who want more of Jon Forman’s guitar driven acoustic ballads should look up Meaning the Meaning Acoustic EP.
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