Go When the Morning Shineth

Go When the Morning Shineth has all the earmarks of a singer/songwriter effort, including a stark moody cover and an evocative title. The album has even been put together by a singer/songwriter, Don Peris, who has proved his ability to write introspective lyrics in the past. The odd thing is that, with the exception of "North Atlantic Sand" and "Young as You Feel," Go When the Morning Shineth is instrumental. This, indeed, is an unusual path for a singer/songwriter to take, and the rather haunting feel of the music may leave one with an uneasy impression that Peris laid down the instrumental tracks and never got around (for whatever reason) to laying down the vocals. Anyone familiar with his work with the Innocence Mission, though, will know he's also a fine guitarist. Peris' guitar alone, however, isn't what makes the album so fascinating. It's the hypnotic arrangements of guitars, drums, keyboards, and cello, most of which are played by Peris. The opener, "Day Trip," has a wonderful dreamy feel, with the reverbed guitar floating along like a reimagined '60s soundtrack. "Day Trip" is followed by "Jubilee," though the title is somewhat misleading. The music is lovely, but it's more melancholy than happy. The two vocal tracks, "North Atlantic Sand" and "Young as You Feel," fit nicely into Go When the Morning Shineth's overall design, topping off an enjoyable album with a sound all its own. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi