Daniel Ward-Murphy - Until The Morning Light 2009

Artist: Daniel Ward-Murphy
Album: Until The Morning Light
Label: Sellaband
Genre: Indie/Folk/Rock/Acoustic
Release: 2009.02.16
Web: http://www.danielwm.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/danielwardmurphy

Tracks:
1.She's A Knockout 3:33
2.My Beautiful Predicament 4:36
3.I Think I Made You Smile 3:32
4.The Queen Of Something New 4:50
5.The Sun Is In Your Eyes (Featuring Jennifer 3:52 Delaney)
6.You Live Up In The Stars 4:28
7.Flame 3:08
8.The Geius Of Myra 5:57
9.In This Fair City (Featuring Jennifer Delaney) 4:18
10.Under The Wife 3:34
11.Ace Of Defiance 4:31

Release Notes:
Remember what made Damien Rice's debut album, O, such a delight? One man, his aching voice climbing out of the never-reaches of his soul, an acoustic guitar and some occasionally accompanying string and woodwind instruments all playing through some lovely songs. And then there was his mysterious, seemingly nameless female accomplice, whose beautiful voice provided harmonies and the odd lead vocal moment of her own. Daniel Ward-Murphy's debut effortlessly combines all of these same elements and has a warming effect perfect for this chilly time of year.
What with every 'What's Hot 2009' list touting electronic pop artists as the ones to watch this year, Ward-Murphy could be considered a pleasant novelty indeed in his singer-songwriter mould. What makes him even more of a rarity is that he is a success-story of the Sell-A-Band Internet phenomenon, a website allowing any unsigned artist to upload tracks in the hope that complete strangers from across the world will listen and like them enough to pledge real money in their direction.Once an artist has sold enough 'shares', usually $50,000worth, the website owners supply them with a producer and are cord is made. A far-fetched scheme it would seem, but one that evidently works for those that are talented enough and who know how to market themselves.
Ward-Murphy is an excellent vocalist able to strike a balance between warm delicacy and surging power. This is especially apparent on You Live Up In The Stars, the album's strongest song. The first minute or so contains a prelude to the upcoming song, with his female sidekick, Jennifer Delaney,taking lead vocal responsibility for the time being,accompanied by melancholic strings. Eventually, Ward-Murphy returns with a tricky, punchy melody that is impeccably delivered, underpinned by crisp drumming and solo cello.
Hang on a minute - melancholic strings? Preludes? Warm delicacy? Surely this is just another soppy acoustic album that you would only buy as a last-minute gift for Mother's Day? Not so. I certainly would not want to present my mother with an album that contains the lyric 'tie you up and let me treat you mean', as Ward-Murphy shows us his adventurous side on second track My Beautiful Predicament.
I have only one criticism of this debut album - it is a shade too long, clocking in at 46 minutes, despite containing the standard-issue eleven tracks. One of those tracks, The Genius Of Myra, lasts a full six minutes - too stretched for this slow, tender lament, however beautifully it is performed.However, it probably demonstrates the strength of the musicianship on display if I am reduced to pedantic remarks about Ward-Murphy's timekeeping abilities - this truly is a very enjoyable record.