Album Notes

David DeMordaunt is a San Francisco based guitarist/songwriter/singer. His music strikes a balance of acoustic and electric guitar elements. Opium features a wide array of sounds and moods, crafted to rock, yet mesmerize. To give the listener something darkly compelling yet sweet.

Opium features a collaboration with Noe Venable (I Serve a New Master Now), as well as some beautiful vocal work by Angelique Borja. Mac Leckrone plays drums and percussion.

~~ Comments received from some recent purchasers:

"If I may be permitted a cliche, I was blown away. This hardly ever happens to me musically anymore."

"Just terrific."

"Opium is great. The proverbial breath of fresh air. I love the interplay of electric and acoustic guitars. It's pretty much all I've played since I've gotten it. So much of what I hear today sounds like a bunch of whiny boy-men complaining about how the world hasn't given them everything... It's a pleasure - a wonderful contrast - to hear shining music."

"Wow. This record is a fully realized vision. Well thought out and well arranged, and it doesn't remind me of anyone else. Very unique and ambitious. Very cool."

"What a fantastic collection of music. It will take me some time to fully digest everything on that menu and to discover the secret treasures buried here."

~~ Review from Hammonline.com by Tim Hamm (excerpt):

Let me start off by saying that David DeMordaunt has a ton of talent with the guitar, and shows a wide range of references on "Opium". He also has brought along some equally talented musicians to fill out his band. No question, this is a progressive rock disc for fans of Pink Floyd and maybe even Jethro Tull ... Overall, this is a musical feast for the progressive rock fan. "Opium" is one of those releases that will take a few listens to fully enjoy.

~~ Review from the Taylor Guitar Forum:

"[A] surreal journey into what feels like a waking dream. Listen to this in a dark room and you'll know what I mean. While the guitars and strings move in and out differing moods, the angelic-like backing vocals really engage the listener."

~~ Review from The Ectophiles'guide.com, by Anna Maria Stjärnell:

David DeMordaunt plays the guitar expertly and sings in hushed manner. He makes laid-back, literate prog rock. His music ebbs and flows pleasantly and has intriguing lyrics. "I Serve a new master now" is a lovely song with Noe Venable adding a great backing vocal. His guitar playing on this cinematic track is sensational. "High Like Heaven" starts with Angelique Borja's sweet voice and goes on to describe a world gone mad. The songs sounds like it strayed from "Dark Side of the Moon". "Black Hearts Wild" is calm, almost meditative even as DeMordaunt sings of capturing the moment. "In the Wonderland" is heavier and has an almost Metallica-like mood. Just another proof of the artist's versatility. I'd say this is a very impressive debut.

~~ Review from The Muse's Muse by Stacey Board:

What struck me about this record is the fact that it seems like a soundtrack for a movie that is yet to be made. Hey, it should happen. Think Magnolia. Think Kill Bill. This could be the third in the trend of movies made because of intriguing songs.

DeMordaunt's songs impress me as tied together not just by their overall sound but by their themes also. I haven't heard a CD in quite some time that musically and thematically ties one song to the next so well.

The guitarwork is first-rate. It is also intriguing, lush and atmospheric. You can hear influences of many styles of guitar playing and an overall influence of large sweeping rock soundtracks. The instrumentation is largely electric guitars, drums and bass but there are many layers and subtleties in arrangement.

On "I Serve A New Master Now" it is a unique blending that sounds like a lost tape of a Led Zeppelin song with Rickie Lee Jones layering the backup vocals. If it were a drink it would be a mai tai; sweet and sour and intoxicating.

This entire CD is about a well constructed atmosphere and an emotional reaction, just as the title for me implies the fact that a drug affects each person differently. "opium" is an intriguing and musicially unique vision executed very well.

~~ Review from IndieMusic.com by Jeanette Drake (excerpt):

...I have not been completely relaxed by a CD in a while, and this is exactly how I felt while listening. While listening to it, all the stressors in my life went somewhere, I have no idea where, and I was consumed by the music.

~~ Servantsheart.com says this of David DeMordaunt's music:

David creates music that is engaging to the mind and soothing to the soul. David's music in infused with mystery, melancholy, sweetness and power remaining vital and pleasing as time passes.