After a two year silence Australian singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd has issued a new album called “White Moth” on Salt-X Records, his 4th. 1978 born multi-instrumentalist is known for his easy going beach/surf sound that’d be very suitable for the hipster and eco-concious multiculturalists from say Canada & Australia and Roots folk festivals. No wonder one of his influences is the American guitarist songwriter Ben Harper!. I think there’s a little bit of Sublime and Long Beach Dub Allstars in there as well without the punk and the dub influences.

On White Moth Rudd proves that he’s extremely capable of crafting little tunes and writing witty and sensitive lyrics. His vocal melodies and singing is so diverse and creative throughout the album, he easily puts 100.000’s of “so called” pop/rock artists to shame easily. As a songwriter he may not be as weird or eccentric as say Mr. Devandra Banhart, but his earthy and straightforward songs are more accessible and sure to create more audience for him. You all know I’m normally not too keen on straightforward good vibes pop stuff like this, but he’s a gifted songwriter who knows how to keep his songs simple and his audience interested at the same time. I especially liked the guitar parts & tone on Stargaze.

BTW he really deserves the multi-instrumentalist tag as he can play slide guitars, didgeridoos, harmonicas, drums, banjo and the bass and plays most of them at the same time with a unique setup, check below!

Image cred : Caedwa

Xavier Rudd – Stargaze
Xavier Rudd – Twist