4 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

John White - Album Review: Henry Green & the Island of Tuliarts

28 Sep 2016 // A review by Ria Loveder

I had read a few articles about John White’s new album Henry Green and the Island of Tuliarts describing it as a listening experience where you succumb to a dream world. This statement I can agree to be very accurate, this album is one filled with ethereal qualities and wondrous themes taking you on a magical journey. With soundbeds of delicately soft strings and graceful guitars layered with John’s soft voice this album is one that is soothing to the ears.

What I love about this album is that it is unapologetically New Zealand, it talks about New Zealand places and you can tell that White loves this country and is proud to be a Kiwi. My only critique is that I wished there was more variance in the songs, as I occasionally found them sounding similar.

Something that also really interested me about this album is its storyline quality, with characters from some of the songs overlapping in the stories. The story of Henry Green is about an imaginary island sinking into the rising ocean. The Tuliarts who have lived there peacefully for many many years are colonized by greedy pirates but saved by Henry. The stories carry on involving a magic wizard crab, banshees and elves. This form of album setup seems to be an art form that isn’t used very often and has seemed to be forgotten but when it is used it creates a dynamic piece of art that doesn’t conform to the mainstream area of music.

This is a beautiful album and you can tell John has put his heart and soul into this and the world of Henry Green, even the artwork is created by him, which adds another element of dedication and love. If you are looking whimsical and fantastical themed album, this is the one for you.

 

About John White

Originally from Dunedin, John White has played in bands such as Mestar, The Zoo Polluters and Sunsets on Acid. In the last few years John has been involved in several cultural exchanges, including an extensive European tour with avant-noise-pop Cloudboy, providing live soundtracks to archival New Zealand footage and a trip to South Korea with Wellington noise band Amalgam to perform a special performance in a Buddhist Monastery.

As a follow up to his solo outings Balloon Adventure (2000) and Mogwash (2003), his new album The Inkadies might be described as the third instalment of tales from a delicate otherland where little creatures called Inkadies come to save the day.

The album was recorded in Madison, Wisconsin by friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Tom Hanson. Gathering guest musician's from Madison's lush music scene, the album boasts chiming harmonies and dripping Synth accompaniments.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for John White

Releases

The Inkadies
Year: 2010
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Ria Loveder

Gig Review: L.A.B. @ Black Barn, Hawke's Bay - 22/12/2019
11 Jan 2020 // by Ria Loveder
The weather leading to Sunday 22nd of December was unreliably sprinkled with a little bit of unpredictability. Luckily for the people that flocked to the gorgeous Black Barn Amphitheatre in the Hawke’s Bay to the sold-out L.
Read More...
Jessy & The Volunteers - Single Review: Phone Face
06 Aug 2019 // by Ria Loveder
For lovers of blues, funk and everything else in between, you have found yourself in the right place. Created and grown into a sexy meld of soul and RnB in a basement in Auckland, Jessy & The Volunteers’ have debuted their song and video Phone Face.
Read More...
Annie J - Single Review: Whenever You Leave Me
31 Mar 2019 // by Ria Loveder
Annie J’s song Whenever You Leave Me is one that all teenagers can relate to; that relationship that you want to be in, but distance seems to come creeping in. The lyrics are mature beyond her years and at the young age of 15; she’s showing that she has the writing capabilities to produce mature, insightful music.
Read More...
Two Cartoons - Single Review: Less People (Less Traffic)
29 Oct 2018 // by Ria Loveder
Back in 2015 I reviewed Two Cartoons EP Lost Boys Club and raved about how they seem to so effortlessly create tunes that need to be sung loud and proud. Three years later, their latest single Less People (Less Traffic) is no exception.
Read More...
Nicole Andrews - Album Review: A Stranger
04 May 2018 // by Ria Loveder
In 2015 I reviewed Nicole Andrews’ album In The Shallows and raved about her rawness and connection with her music. Needless to say, her second album A Stranger has done it again.
Read More...
nomad - Album Review: Can You Feel It?
13 Apr 2018 // by Ria Loveder
nomad soared into popularity with their catchy infectious pop tune Oh My My in 2016. After their song reached gold sales and they were nominated for Best Newcomers at the NZ Music Awards they are back with their debut album Can You Feel It?
Read More...
Ha the Unclear - Single Review: Wallace Line
08 Apr 2018 // by Ria Loveder
My music taste over the past year has changed a wee bit, and I am loving music that harks back to the 80's, and Ha the Unclear do just that. Their eccentric sound is filled with unconventional retro alt-pop music making them the perfect backing track to the New Zealand summer, pity we have just come into Autumn!
Read More...
Tom Lee-Richards - Single Review: Out Of The Oddness
20 Feb 2018 // by Ria Loveder
An experimenter of music from a young age, Tom Lee-Richards' passion for songs and composition is evident in his array of work. His latest single Out Of The Oddness has dropped and it is one track I recommend you listen to.
Read More...
View All Articles By Ria Loveder

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem