The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon

Album Review

A throwback to the epic arena rock vibe of Peter Gabriel, Sting, and Led Zeppelin, indie singer/songwriter Aaron English has got a jones for the elements. His highly acclaimed 2003 solo debut, All the Waters of This World was a finalist in the Best Male Singer-Songwriter category in the 2004 Just Plain Folks Music Awards and gained a loyal following of folk and progressive rock fans. The songs "Thin Ice" and "Like Smoke" from this compelling and provocative follow-up received airplay on numerous influential internet stations, from the Triple AAA oriented Radio Paradise to Whole Wheat Radio and Progrock.com. Aside from those obvious classic rock and occasional folk influences, English's band blends the music of diverse traditions from the Middle East, Brazil, West Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Medieval Europe. While his debut found the singer seemingly tackling all of the world's problems in a very socio-political mindset — and musically, included every potential exotic bell and whistle he could fit in the production — The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon is a more focused set featuring straightforward, guitar oriented rock songs that focus on the unique complexities of human relationships based on English's own life experiences. Looking in the mirror instead of at the world at large, he creates his most personal and mature work to date. True to his lifelong love of synth-based British pop — which he originally listened to as a rebellion against the grunge that defined Seattle when he was a young musician finding his musical voice — the collection also includes a colorful cover of the Police's "Message in a Bottle." Some of the darkness creeps back in, but in a clever and cheeky way, on "God Bless You and Your Man," which qualifies as the most pure pop oriented track on the album.