Album Review: Henry Green & the Island of Tuliarts

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I had read a few articles about John White’s new album Henry Green and the Island of Tuliarts describing it as a listening experience where you succumb to a dream world. This statement I can agree to be very accurate, this album is one filled with ethereal qualities and wondrous themes taking you on a magical journey. With soundbeds of delicately soft strings and graceful guitars layered with John’s soft voice this album is one that is soothing to the ears.

What I love about this album is that it is unapologetically New Zealand, it talks about New Zealand places and you can tell that White loves this country and is proud to be a Kiwi. My only critique is that I wished there was more variance in the songs, as I occasionally found them sounding similar.

Something that also really interested me about this album is its storyline quality, with characters from some of the songs overlapping in the stories. The story of Henry Green is about an imaginary island sinking into the rising ocean. The Tuliarts who have lived there peacefully for many many years are colonized by greedy pirates but saved by Henry. The stories carry on involving a magic wizard crab, banshees and elves. This form of album setup seems to be an art form that isn’t used very often and has seemed to be forgotten but when it is used it creates a dynamic piece of art that doesn’t conform to the mainstream area of music.

This is a beautiful album and you can tell John has put his heart and soul into this and the world of Henry Green, even the artwork is created by him, which adds another element of dedication and love. If you are looking whimsical and fantastical themed album, this is the one for you.