Daniel and the Moravians

Daniel and the Moravians, whom I first met at their show at the Vienna Acoustic Club last month, really floored me with their freshman effort, The Book of Sand. For the songwriter/indie-folk genre, it's some of the best writing I've EVER heard, and I don't say that lightly. It's a rare treat to hear the type and quality level of the lyrics that you'll find on practically every song. The album deals with many themes such as mortality, love, and the spiritual path. In Unravelling of the cord, a poignant piece about mortality Daniel Monaghan, (the singer and songwriter in the project) howls, "with the unravelling of the cord, We're dropped into this sea, We fight amongst the waves, We live our destiny, With the unravelling of the Cord, In delusion live our lives, We watch our children age, We watch our families die". In Hangmans Cove, a dark number about a woman losing her soul "The highway sign says Hangmans Cove, She's ridin Armageddon down a shiny black road, A pack of tarot cards and a cupid switch blade, The night sky lit up by Algul's gaze" In the softer, wise song, Song for Isabella he croons " Like a spider trapped in it's own silk web, like a hunter caught in it's own cruel snare, the creeping vine of craving binds the soul" The album is strongly supported by the excellent and passionate playing of Martin Kociš on the viola and Jana Gajdošiková on the cello and the high quality drumming of Josef Fojta of the famous Czech folk group Hradištan. In addition Lucka Nosová, daughter of the famous folk singer Pepa Nos, adds her great voice to the mix to really push this one over the top. With 18 songs, it could be a double album, but I found myself wanting more. I dare say this album has what it takes to win the grammy for best new album in 2013. Hans Mueller. Vienna press December 12, 2012 - Vienna Press Arts