Xavier Rudd - White Moth (Album)

White Moth, Xavier Rudd’s fourth studio album release in Australia, was apparently named after a beautiful white moth that came to his son on a recent holiday and stayed with him for three hours, possibly the spirit of his wife’s grandmother. Concepts like this story, and ideas of family, spirituality and homage are explored and interpreted as both the inspiration and accreditation for this 14 track release. Rudd gets back to his Aboriginal roots in many of the well-crafted tunes – ranging from his standard didgeridoo-saturated music, to incorporating an Indigenous Elder (on 'Footprint' and 'Message Stick'), a group of Aboriginal school students (in 'Land Rights' and again, 'Message Stick') and utilising traditional tribal language (traditional song of the Rirratjingu clan in “Message Stick” and “Whispers”). Rudd also gets political, addressing the touchy and often, misunderstood topic of Land Rights – which, actually makes for a gorgeous, well-written track (seven on the album, 'Land Rights'), with touching lyrics, ” The cup that was empty is slowly filling up”)

For anyone lucky enough to catch Xavier Rudd live (Great Escape 2006 to be exact), you would know the magic and atmosphere that he easily sets with his one man band, laid back, honest style of performing. On this particular occasion, the sun was setting, everyone was totally chilled out, stamping their feet and swaying to the rhythms of the stomp box – Rudd was at his peak and this is the mainstay of his appeal. Like many similar artists, it is always difficult to capture this on an album, and although that was Rudd’s main ambition on White Moth, it just doesn’t translate.

White Moth though does not fall down completely on this point. Xavier Rudd’s passionate and simplistic tracks are easy to listen to and often capture your heart and will you to broaden your mind. 'Choices', favourite number four, emulates this message exactly. Written about family bonding over a cancer victim, this tune will bring tears and appreciation, with heartfelt lines like “You have what you have, what you have is for you”. Track eight also reflects the melancholy truth of White Moth, and the more you listen, the more you realise.

Other tracks though, seem to lack musical depth – although the concepts are all meaningful, the music doesn’t always embrace this. White Moth’s latest single, 'Better People', does not spark much interest and is in fact, quite plain when listened to more than a few times over. Also, the drum sounds (played by Dave Tolley) used throughout the album don’t seem to have the warmth or space to match Xavier’s magic vocals and gorgeous slide-guitar playing, which in itself, seems to tell the story.

Xavier Rudd seems to use his music more to communicate messages, (truth, positivity and surrounding energy), as opposed to playing for pure entertaining or money making purposes. This is illustrated clearly in White Moth, albeit sometimes not the most exciting album, it is certainly representative and true to Rudd’s roots and most likely, his fan base. It does have some brilliant moments, especially in the slower tracks towards the end (“Set It Up” and “Whirlpool”), that if taken the time to concentrate on, will take you to a better, and freer, space.

Hopefully, if all of this doesn’t attract you to White Moth, the issues, especially rights for Aboriginal and in fact, all Indigenous peoples, will cause you to at least stand up and take notice.

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