Rating: NNN
In most cases surfers-turned-songwriters are to be avoided, but Australia’s Xavier Rudd is no Jack Johnson. Sure, his laid-back vibe is similar to his coastal counterpart’s, but Rudd’s tunes are more diverse and lyrically richer than anything Johnson’s ever done.
Still, his new record, White Moth, is a step back from the eclecticism of his Food In The Belly album and dies out about halfway through.
The songs of White Moth are generally mellower, making repeat listens difficult, especially when you’re craving Rudd’s more rollicking tracks. That said, there are still a few standout tunes, including spiritual folk opener Better People and the bluesy Stargaze.
This is definitely worth a listen, but it’s tough to say how many of them you’ll get through.
