Greenhouse
One last Cold Kiss

I promised some time ago to review this CD but unfortunately had to spend some time 'unavailable'. However, that's now over and I'm back (sort of) and whilst I may have been changed by my experiences one thing is for sure "One Cold Kiss" remains fresh, innovative and well worth a listen to. From it's 'almost big production' opening number "Pharaoh" to the far simpler "My Lagan Love", and more traditional numbers, this album is a collection of traditional and 'in the tradition' songs and tunes performed in a 21st century style.

There is an interesting mixture of influences from the 'eastern' feel of the percussion to the very strong emphasis on the words of the songs, reflecting the British and Irish oral tradition. The production reflects the bands environment, namely west coast USA. Some may think that the latter point could be a major drawback, however this is in no way true, if anything the west coast feel adds to the albums freshness and indeed there is a certain rawness to some of the sets of tunes (The Snoring Maids and The Rose Among the Heather) which is in marked contrast to the songs. My personal favourite track is The Host of The Air/The Burning of the Piper's Hut. This is for several reasons: namely that The Hosts of The Air is a beautiful song, Greenhouse's treatment is superb and The Burning of the Pipers Hut is one of my favourite tunes, which I think Greenhouse play at the right speed and with the right feel. I would go so far as to suggest that the CD is worth buying for this track alone.

The overall feel of the album is one of sadness tinged with hope for the future, a reverence for the past contrasted with the feeling that it (the past) is very much a living part of the present and forms our very future.

Therefore I humbly submit that "Greenhouse – One Last Cold Kiss" is well worth adding to your music collection.