Danielle Paus
Album: Siren Song
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.daniellepaus.com

This is quite possibly the gentlest album I have ever reviewed. 'Siren Song' has got to be in the top branch of soothing music to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere. I can imagine coming home from a hard day at work, putting this album on, lighting an incense stick and then letting this album wash over me and taking away the stress in the process.

The album is purely instrumental, staring Danielle Paus who is sporting a Starfish Harp backed then by a small entourage who backs her up with a combination of other gentle instruments such as a guitar, another harp, an accordion and then the soft pitter patter of some Ashiko and Djembe drums.

We do get a very familiar theme flowing throughout the whole album, it almost sounds like one continuous set separated into 11 parts, but in this instance that is by no means a negative thing.

This music would also be good for a mood setter, so if you are hosting a dinner party, I could im age putting this album on in the background because it is soft enough to really set a mood, but it is not invasive, so you can go about your conversations without feeling distracted by the noise or feel as though you need to concentrate on the music.

The exception to this is the track 'Yndlingsvalsen' which sets a very different tone, this track is much more lively and energetic than the rest of the album and shows that Danielle is not simply a one trick pony and is capable of changing her sound (that is if this is not already proven in her solo Celtic harp work or part of the duo Naia, I have not yet had the pleasure of hearing this work).

Overall a wonderful release, and a joy to listen to.

Paul Rawcliffe