Nick Fent: Learning to Love This Mortal Coil

By Reuben Harper

This is a straight ahead folk album from Nick Feint, a touring musician from the Golden Bay area. There is an innocently cheeky, challenging quality to many of the tracks that I find appealing. Standout songs include Bogun - a protest song about people who are stuck in their ways! It has a great driving rhythm and makes for interesting listening. A recurring theme on the album is the artist's search for the freedom to express himself - it comes up in songs such as Uncomfortably Numb where he confesses "my cloak of ice is coming undone". Nick's guitar-playing shines on Solitary Seagull where he uses a slightly displaced rhythm to great effect. The slightly off-centre feel makes it interesting rhythmically as well as harmonically. Chontene Nathan provides backing vocals on several tracks, her high vocals working well to add contrast with Nick's and thicken up the tracks. The recording quality is clear and there are few overdubs. Independently released. Contact: nickfeint@hotmail.com

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Issues

NZ Musician

August/September 2002