Danielle Lennon – String Theory
This last November, the immensely talented composer and multi-instrumentalist Danielle Lennon released ‘String Theory,’ her fascinating debut album consisting of eight original instrumental tracks. The outstanding debut defines Lennon as one of the most talented and clever independent musicians this side of the past six months.
Classically trained, Lennon already had extensive experience as professional violinist and performer before diving into the creation of ‘String Theory.’ ‘The opening track of the record, ‘Strathspey,’ introduces Lennon as a superior performer and compelling composer. The production quality of the track is remarkable and the stringed instruments combined with the percussion are beautiful.
One of the main strengths of ‘String Theory’ is its continued sense of continuity. It crafts a very fluid listening experience that draws the audience in track after track in anticipation of the next entry in this astounding saga. Each track is a stark contrast to its predecessor, such as ‘29/12/11’ after the opening of the record – calculated instrumentation cascades around brief, yet dominant piano.
The piano becomes a recurring character in this potent sonic play. Personally, I found myself heavily moved by ‘Erratic Nomad,’ a song that conjures a thrilling rollercoaster of gypsy-like violin combined with the most prominent percussion performance in the collection. The track that follows, ‘Calm Before The Storm’ draws upon imagery of peaceful silence before a devastating storm. It’s the most emotional offering on the album.
‘Tie That Binds’ provides beautiful closure to a magnificent movement of music. It’s reminiscent of Howard Shore’s now-legendary ‘Concerning Hobbits’ composition for ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ It’s a fitting end to a reflective and thoughtful record.
I am beyond impressed at Danielle Lennon’s ‘String Theory.’ It’s a gorgeous debut and consistently provides insight into a colossal new talent. It is a record of epic, theatrical proportions and showcases Lennon as a potential leader in the next generation of contemporary classical music.
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Written by Brett Stewart and published on Indiemunity.com.
Friday, April 24th 2015.