American Mystic

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ALBUM INFORMATION

Total Tracks: 10   Total Length: 39:29

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Amelia Raitt

eMusic Contributor

Amelia Raitt is a former writer for the television program Mr. Belvedere and has been writing about pop music of all colors and stripes for eMusic since 2005. S...more »

03.31.08
John Shannon, American Mystic
2008 | Label: ObliqSound / IODA

American Mystic is the solo debut LP from John Shannon, leader of the instrumental group Waking Vision and former electric guitarist for psychedelic Sufi trance rocker Haale. It's a stripped-down, ethereal set: just an acoustic guitar and Shannon's whispered, barely-treated vocals. The track titles give some insight into Shannon's nature-first brand of mysticism ("Golden Eagle," "Butterfly," "Lion's Mane"), while the music itself slides neatly next to other 21st century hushed folksters like Damien Rice. An impressive and stately debut.

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Beautiful

dylanboy

I just heard his song "Beautiful" on IndieFeeds podcast from John Shannon's Beautiful Remixes cd and fell in love! Now listening to this album I'm reminded of Bon Iver and am further facinated...it's Amazing the way both of their solo folk guitar styles can take you on a musical journey so profound.

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haunting and awesome

a77mercury

Haunting and awesome you will get addicted to this album quickly and love every minute of it. eMusic categorizes this as "country" but that is so far off the mark as to be annoying and should be disregarded. I'm not particularly a folk music, but I think this would be more accurately placed in that category. I have a problem with artists and bands that keep it mellow and put out a great sound, but the next day...poof...nothing sticks. This album is not like that. You will reach for the player first thing in the morning and what a great way to start a day. The wholly unique sound of John Shannon seems much more a kindred spirit to the fragility of Nick Drake and subtle melodies of classic Simon and Garfunkel, even the charming side of Rod Stewart comes to mind a la "Handbags and Gladrags." Oh, and the lyrics are good.

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They Say All Media Guide

The title of singer/songwriter John Shannon’s debut album, American Mystic, might raise a warning flag for some skeptically-minded listeners, but the appeal of American Mystic to listeners who have little interest in pilgrimages to Taos and Sedona lies in Shannon’s better than average musical and vocal gifts. Comparisons to Tim Buckley circa “Song to a Siren” and Nick Drake’s Five Leaves Left are not inappropriate; obviously Shannon is not as startling a talent as either of those late masters, but his complex folk- and jazz-flavored melodies and lyrical acoustic guitar style, as well as his breathy vocal delivery, certainly sound heavily influenced by one or both. The better songs, such as album opener “Forgiveness” and the simply lovely “Lion’s Mane” are instantly memorable. But as a minimalist voice and guitar album featuring ten delicate ballad-tempo songs with little variance either in Shannon’s vocals or his playing, American Mystic is primarily a mood piece, the sort of album one plays in close proximity to a warm bath and/or a pot of herbal tea, while letting Shannon’s whispery voice and gently flowing guitar wash over unencumbered. The thing is, there are far worse albums designed for that purpose, and while Shannon doesn’t have the poetic depth or melodic mastery of a Buckley or a Drake, he’s a step ahead of many of his contemporaries. – Stewart Mason

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