Woven Hand
Mosaic

THE REVIEW

The evocative and mystical atmospheres of "Woven hand" (2002) and "Consider the birds" (2004) were enough to reaffirm the importance and influence of a singer-songwriter like David Eugene Edwards, already the mastermind of 16 Horsepower, a band where he began showcasing his innate talents as a songwriter and vocalist.

The mysticism of his musical visions remains unchanged in this Mosaic, the third album under the Woven Hand moniker, released in 2006. The desire to skillfully blend various musical influences remains intact, and the differences between the songs on the CD confirm how Edwards manages, even starting from almost identical elements, to always outline vivid musical contours that are appreciated for their originality. The sound evoked is indeed something absolutely rare within the musical horizon, and this is precisely what elevates Woven Hand's work above the average.

Thus, after the intro "Breathing bull", the splendid "Winter shaker" clarifies how the musical atmospheres evoked by Edwards are not something easily traceable in other musical realms. A succession of ancestral notes on which Edwards' extraordinary storyteller voice stands out. Moreover, in this song (more markedly) as well as in other tracks by Woven Hand, one can trace the considerable importance of religion in Edwards' musical approach.

With a more melancholic and dusky flavor, "Swedish purse" paves the way for "Twig", perhaps the only real misstep of the entire album. "Whistling girl" and the electric experimentations of "Elktooth" get us back to levels worthy of the best Edwards. This is not enough to avoid another somewhat unsuccessful song, the instrumental "Bible and bird", while "Dirty blue" is the summation of what music represents for David Edwards: a dark atmosphere, at times with a medieval flavor, and a text that powerfully begins with "this fear is only the beginning". An absolute gem, a true highlight of the album and Edwards' career. If you're still not satisfied with the artistic quality of the music offered by Woven Hand, you won't be disappointed by the remaining compositions, particularly "Truly golden", sad enough, and "Deerskin doll", which continue (once again) to vividly underline the positive characteristics of the gothic/folk/rock with a dark and mystical flavor that Edwards continues to provide.

An atmosphere of sadness and reflection, a light on the dark corners, music coming first and foremost from the mind of a great artist.

A highly spiritual spectacle.

1. "Breathing Bull" (1:30)
2. "Winter Shaker" (3:43)
3. "Swedish Purse" (3:30)
4. "Twig" (2:12)
5. "Whistling Girl" (4:40)
6. "Elktooth" (3:17)
7. "Bible And Bird" (2:21)
8. "Dirty Blue" (4:42)
9. "Slota Prow - Full Armour" (5:53)
10. "Truly Golden" (3:33)
11. "Deerskin Doll" (5:34)
12. "Little Raven - Shun" (4:12)