Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
At our lowest point, when an overwhelming feeling of loss or the realisation of the shattering of a dream takes hold, it is the solace of art in every form that finds a way to hold the mind and soul together; a glue, a bond that sees a kind of beautiful monument take shape and one that could be seen as a testimonial, a tribute to all that ever could have been and one that breathes with honour of having been part of the artist’s life.
For some it is in the sadness of what could never be that drives them to produce something outstanding and pure, a glance perhaps in the mirror of time and the desire to change what cannot usually be undone. In Chiara Berardelli’s Seamonster, the opens up the skin of personal inner heartaches and sees an album of sincere grit, positive ideas and a memorial to the human endeavour take place.
We all bleed, we all see what we most desire often denied us, but to actively seek a way out of the hidden groove we find ourselves in takes a great sense of perspective and inner strength. It is in recognition of the strength undertaken by Ms. Berardelli that the control and tempo of the songs mark the deeper level of understanding of the issues faced and the knowledge she imparts.
Tracks such as the opener Free Floating Love, Another Planet, Deep Space Hibernation, Sanctuary and The Best Is Yet To Come reach deep into the listener’s psyche and the compassion asked for and comes away leaving those who take such things seriously, who understand the consideration of exposing pain through art, that the sense of yearning is a very real process, no matter what the situation is.
Sanguinity though is overriding end result, the exposure and admittance of the pain felt, of the themes explored may see the wound revealed, but it is the hope that that shines through in the end; a holding onto confidence that radiates in the artist’s work and one that makes Seamonster an album of passion for what could have been and what will be.
Chiara Berardelli’s Seamonster is released on March 2nd.
Ian D. Hall