Opening songIn This World captures this beautifully with the warm strains of the Santoor (an Indian stringed instrument), harmonium, vibraphone and swooning strings, while harnessing world-weary reflections to Rein’s trademark romanticism.
When Old Man River (Ohad Rein) released his debut album – Good Morning – in 2007, the Sydney-born singer/songwriter unleashed three of the most instantly recognisable (and many would say ‘overplayed’) songs of that year: La, Sunshine andBelieve It. Three years later, Old Man River invites listeners on a more eclectic and spiritually enriching journey with his sophomore album, Trust.
Opening song In This World captures this beautifully with the warm strains of the Santoor (an Indian stringed instrument), harmonium, vibraphone and swooning strings, while harnessing world-weary reflections to Rein’s trademark romanticism. In contrast to the sentimental ballads, You’re On My Mind and You & Me, Rein provokes the listener into re-evaluation with the aptly titled Wake Up – a song defined by its Japanese chorus line and anthemic grandeur.
Sitars, Sarangi (an Indian fiddle) and a range of Indian percussive instruments permeate the beautiful tribute to his beloved nation, India, as Rein surmises: “I’d rather put up with the pains of life / Than live in a world where I’m numb and tired / I’m going back to India”. Shanti Aaye (Let Peace Come In) enraptures and glows iridescently with its intricate traditional rhythms and the gorgeous addition of the Shanti Choir. Sung in predominately Indian, Shanti Aaye resounds in poignant and impassioned pleas for harmony, peace and togetherness; its Indian phrases translating as “let’s pray together for peace / Let’s douse the fireballs of hatred / Let’s attune every heart to love’s melody”.
Recorded in Sydney, Israel, and India with producers Wayne Connolly, Ori Avni and Daman Sood, Rein enlisted the assistance of more than 15 musicians for his sophomore album, and its flourishing results are no more evident than in India and Shanti Aaye.
The wistful ballad Religion reiterates Rein’s focus on uniting people through love rather than personal beliefs, while Been Here Before showcases Rein’s inherently dreamy sentimentalism, albeit in a cringe-worthy fashion as clichés abound in the lines: “every time we say goodbye, something dies a little / Absence makes a heart grow fonder”.
Old Man River’s vibrantly uplifting harmonic folk-pop will prove a little saccharine for some; but endearing and heartfelt to others. In Trust’s beautiful union of traditional instrumentation and modern tales of love, peace, cultural splendour and togetherness, Old Man River has become more eclectic and relevant… and is all the better for it.
