Niacin
Library – The Vulture And The Sun (Independent)
Niacin Library is one person, namely Idaho
singer-songwriter Richard Guinn, and “The Vulture And The Sun” is his second EP
release. It was originally planned as a ten-song, full-length album, but Guinn
decided instead to select his favorite tracks, and release only them. I’ve not
heard the omitted tracks, so can’t comment as to whether listeners are missing
out, but these five tracks make for an interesting and enjoyable collection.
Simply produced, with Guinn accompanying himself on guitar, his songs are chock
full of abstract imagery and dark, quirky narratives. His overall sound is
crisp and compelling, with guitar and voice given equal prominence, and leans
towards indie rather than folk.
“The Vulture And The Sun” begins with “Death Woke On
Saturday (Vulture of Man)”, a sprightly paean to the exploitation of one’s
fellow man, hopefully expressed with his tongue firmly lodged in his cheek –
but only Guinn knows for sure, and he’s not telling. “Mesa Town” starts well
and gets better. Its basic premise is time travel, and he goes back in time to
church and visits a morgue. His powers of description are sparse yet powerfully
evocative, and on “Singapore in the Rain” he’s
just as forceful, and although there are more questions asked than answered,
it’s the most easily accessible, radio friendly track on the EP.
Phil S.
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