18 August 2010
Coming from a culturally diverse childhood, growing up in Europe and Israel, exploring India and busking in New York; it’s no surprise Sydney soul singer Ohad Rein aka Old Man River would release an album brimming with world-love and instrumental variety.
Rein is now what you’d call a seasoned performer; after playing guitar in Sydney bands such as Gelbison, he’s collaborated with The Sleepy Jackson and Ben Lee. His first album Good Morning was well received with his track La reaching #6 on Italy’s air play charts andSunshine winning the Blues & Roots Work of the Year category at 2009’s APRA Awards.
Old Man River’s sophomore effort is Trust and expectations are understandably high for the success of this record. The album opens with an interlude homage to Indian chimes before In This Worldsneaks into our ears and swirls through our mind. The chimes remain a constant throughout the track, their calming powers prompting memories of that meditation tape you once found in your Aunt Meryl’s collection, next to the incense and lavender oil.
Rein’s soft effortless vocals and acoustic guitar in love songs You And Me and Our Love Will Win cement suspicions he has definitely fallen hard in love, whether that be for a woman or the Earth itself is still unclear, but that’s half the appeal.
The flower-power pop elements stay true to Good Morning but he’s more Bob Dylan and less Beatles this time. Tracks India, Norway, Shanti Aaye and Religion are not only an ode to exotic instruments (he uses 15 throughout the album) they are relevant counterparts which portray, through his signature idiosyncrasy, his love of simple pleasures and the importance of culture. Each track compliments the other, the soft energy flows evenly and unabated.
Trust closes with Kaiyumas Lullaby, and like the original Hush Little Baby, this track is a dreamy conclusion swirled with his own ‘60s folk twist. The album itself paints Rein as an established crooner, lyrically he is more virtuous as is shown with India but mostly he is content to hone Dylan and wispy roots days gone by.
Rein is now what you’d call a seasoned performer; after playing guitar in Sydney bands such as Gelbison, he’s collaborated with The Sleepy Jackson and Ben Lee. His first album Good Morning was well received with his track La reaching #6 on Italy’s air play charts andSunshine winning the Blues & Roots Work of the Year category at 2009’s APRA Awards.
Old Man River’s sophomore effort is Trust and expectations are understandably high for the success of this record. The album opens with an interlude homage to Indian chimes before In This Worldsneaks into our ears and swirls through our mind. The chimes remain a constant throughout the track, their calming powers prompting memories of that meditation tape you once found in your Aunt Meryl’s collection, next to the incense and lavender oil.
Rein’s soft effortless vocals and acoustic guitar in love songs You And Me and Our Love Will Win cement suspicions he has definitely fallen hard in love, whether that be for a woman or the Earth itself is still unclear, but that’s half the appeal.
The flower-power pop elements stay true to Good Morning but he’s more Bob Dylan and less Beatles this time. Tracks India, Norway, Shanti Aaye and Religion are not only an ode to exotic instruments (he uses 15 throughout the album) they are relevant counterparts which portray, through his signature idiosyncrasy, his love of simple pleasures and the importance of culture. Each track compliments the other, the soft energy flows evenly and unabated.
Trust closes with Kaiyumas Lullaby, and like the original Hush Little Baby, this track is a dreamy conclusion swirled with his own ‘60s folk twist. The album itself paints Rein as an established crooner, lyrically he is more virtuous as is shown with India but mostly he is content to hone Dylan and wispy roots days gone by.
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