“Tigers And Dragons” Is Beautifully Crafted Rock Poetry

Dave Bremner is no stranger to music, but it was on his 50th Birthday that he started to turn his poetry into music. As a solo artist and along the eclectic Luna Reklipse band he completed the rock arrangement album “New Beginnings” and afterwards, having parted ways with the band he has taken it upon himself to continue making the music he loves.

“Tigers and Dragons” is a collection of past songs that he has been playing on his live shows, along his guitarist, Niall Mathieson he has accomplished his wish to release these beloved songs as quality material meant to be enjoyed even after the live shows.

“Reason to live” is a slow and heartfelt ballad that feels warm and familiar, full of warmth and a well-produced layered background to a consistent voice performance from Dave. The lyrics, although meaningful, are not outstandingly deep and become slightly repetitive. That is not to say it taks much away from the song.

“I Have You” is a very popular song amongst Dave’s followers, it is easy to know why, since it has a very melodic and catchy sound, easy to follow along to and to listen to while relaxing and feeling calm. The lyrics, well paired with its music, are simple and easy to remember. Little details over the basic structure of the song and a laid-back guitar accompany the track without obstructing it throughout it.

From the get go, you know that “Looking for Love” is a catchy one, a grungy feeling and interesting melody make this song the most insteresting of the bunch by far. Inspired by Dave’s musical hero, Marc Bolan, it shows an almost menacing guitar, threatening to take over the whole song but always staying in place and balance with the rest of the elements. Nothing stands out in a bad way, well crafted, interesting and dark, my favorite track from the EP.

“Outside” starts off as a soft-sounding piece that has bouts of energy thoughout, however with a lacking vocal performance that is the weakest on the EP, it does pick itself up with its instrumental that is almost too loud for the voice. It is that instrumental that provides the strength that the vocals take away from the track, tying it also with the EP’s last track, “Hey Jo” almost as a follow up, but just as weak on the voice and lyrics side. It is this part of the whole composition of songs that feels lower than the first three songs.

Although enjoyable, the second part of this EP (“Outside” and “Hey Jo”) becomes drowned under the weight of the rest of the beautifully-crafted and excellently performed songs.

What’s in the future for this accomplished songwriter is the release of a Celtic rock track called “Highland Home”, from which all profits will go to the Scottish Cancer Relief Charity, a cause very close to his heart since he, as many others have gotten the support they have needed in difficult times from this incredible organization. The release of a song co-written and produced with Tony

Watson and also there’s a duo called “Double D” with Dave Plenderleith, a friend and fellow songwriter with whom he will hopefully be releasing a brand-new EP in early 2018.

– Laura Perez