If you think that all Christians wear dour faces then you’ve never met Nod Arvefel (also known to certain Angolian’s as Donald Lefevra). I’ve never met Nod, but after hearing
Messenger, his album of 10 original tunes, its impossible to deny that this guy knows and lives the joy of his salvation. For proof theres no greater example than the opening track (an instrumental, no less). The poppy techno drum vibe of Jayanbu, with its angelic chorus and chimes, is downright peppy. More evidence of Nods humor
is found in Filled With Empty, a sedate garden of flutes and soft strings that cleverly incorporate bits of nursery rhymes into this song of searching. A fancy-free reggae beat permeates Sign Your Name, where Nod takes a tongue-in-cheek look at churches
that are more focused on their buildings than their Savior.
At times Arvefel goes for the heavier handed story song, such as Just Say No (Hit the Road, Jack), an ominous anti-drug song filled with thickly reverbed pianos, synth, bass, dangerous organs and cautionary lyrics
such as his little bags of junk will put a monkey on your back. Gods Not Like That At All is a sad country tale of a boy who had three different moms in the first 10 years and only wanted to be like normal kids, all with sweet strings, a heartfelt
vocal delivery and appropriate slide guitar- all working together to pull a tear from your eye. A contemplative, weighty sound is carved out of Yea, Sayeth The Lord with ethereal sounds, rumbling pianos, cavernous vocal echo and a most impressive instrumental
passage that packs a mighty wallop. Jesus Didn’t Leave Us The Way That He Found Us is a jaunty gospel piano song with an inventive punchy synth bass, real guitars, and an expressive sax solo. A so cheesy its cool horn layer adorns Ask and You
Shall Receive, a galloping excursion that sounds like an epic adventure with bursts of techno drums and horns, inviting listeners to knock and the door shall be opened. The closing track, I Shall Overcome, is an energetic praise song filled with
salsa horns, Spanish guitars and an encouraging melody.
Weighing in at just under 40 minutes, Nod Arvefels
Messenger is the perfect length, exhibiting his deft songwr iting abilities in a whirlwind of musical styles. With vocal and guitar tracks recorded at Monastic Chambers (plus a bit of mastering and secret spices), you can be assured that the sound is as professional
as the songs, leaving nothing to distract you from catching Arvefels infectious joy. Available at cdbaby.com.