Food in the Belly

Solace	White Moth On his fourth album in five years, Australian Xavier Rudd continues to blend indigenous music of his homeland with a wide swath of sounds that have delighted and excited him throughout his life. Folk, pop, ska, reggae, world-beat rhythms, and more all are handily unified by Rudd'...	Grand National The pigeonholes that exist have long been a bad fit for John Butler anyway. Roots band, protest band, jam band, groove band . . . these labels may or may not have applied in the past, but the John Butler Trio of 2007 has come too far and seen too much to sit in anybody else's nic...	To Let	Sunrise Over Sea Though they've steadily built a stellar live reputation via stateside opening slots for The Dave Matthews Band and others, guitarist/vocalist/songwriter John Butler and band have had a more star-crossed history in the U.S. record market. Released here a full year after its succes...
Dark Shades of Blue This record is a balance of darkness and light, thanks in no small part to the studio presence of Joe Barresi, the man behind the sonics of Tool and Queens Of The Stone Age. For years, audiences have swooned and swayed to the dark throb of Rudd's live shows, the pulsing low-end o...	Three This debut album by Australian John Butler's energetic jam-band phenom sold platinum in their native country and spawned numerous stateside club gigs as well as an opening slot for the Dave Matthews Band. Fueled by Butler's distinctive, earthy slide and finger-picked guitar, and ...	Sleep Through The Static Jack Johnson recorded his fourth album using nothing but solar power. This is somehow fitting for a singer-songwriter, surfer, and filmmaker who spends most of his days floating in the ocean under Hawaii's open skies. The forces of nature certainly seem to have found their way in...	Good Spirit Xavier Rudd brings you his first live album 'Good Spirit'. The album was recorded from various gigs around Australia - (The Enmore Theatre, Sydney), (The Palais, Melbourne), (Fly by Night, Fremantle). Universal. 2005.	Yell Fire! One thing you know you'll get from Franti and Spearhead is a certain kind of crystal clarity--on the production, musicianship, and, of course, in the righteous political message. Released two years after Franti traveled by himself to war-ravaged Baghdad, Gaza Strip, and the West ...

Evolution of Xavier Rudd
Most of Xavier Rudd's albums stick to a recipe of slide guitar, didgeridoo and strong lyrics. Great recipe for his first 3 albums and his latest White Moth. (Best of this recipe: Solace) but I want an artist to evolve. This album does this by branching out and introducing new sounds. Great album.

Food in Belly
I bought this CD because I couldn't get The Message out of my head after hearing it on the radio. I knew nothing about the band and was happy to find that there are many tracks I find myself playing over and over. Food in the Belly is another great one. I love the lyrics and the lead vocalist sounds a bit like Paul Simon, but edgier. Great buy.

Such a Find
A brilliant songwriter/musician. Excellent sound. Outstanding lyrics. Something very subtle (in a positive way, not meant as in boring or staid) and charming about "Food in the Belly" by Xavier Rudd. Loving the song "Messages" have listened multiple times, each time, I slip a bit further into the music.

College radio stations take notice
This was an impulse purchase; I wanted to sample something a little fresh, something new, and went with Xavier Rudd. The college crowd should be duly impressed with this outing. The rest of us may have to let it sink in over time. There are some lilting tunes amid random cacophany on this experiment; the better ones soothe the ears. Rudd is not a poet in the ranks with Dylan or Mitchell, but he gets a fair amount of social commentary under the skin. To be fair, this is something that most younger music fans should take notice of, because at least it takes some dares. I also give credit for Rudd incorporating his self proclaimed mentor Paul Simon. I didn't know he had such admiration until I read some reviews, but I found myself saying " Hmm.... some of this sounds like ' Graceland' era Paul Simon." If you want something that is a touch edgy, a bit melodic and a little profound, pick this up.

Very Original and Awesome Songwriting
Xavier Rudd has made a very special album here. What a great wintertime release. Using instruments from his native Australia to create some of the more interesting musical arrangements since Ben Harper or say Sufjan Stevens. The use of the didgeridoo he really captures a landscape we rarely experience here in the states. This the best use of the didgeridoo since Ben Harper's 'Both Sides of the Gun'. Xavier's ballads are some of the more touching in recent memory. Any fan of Mason Jennings, Ben Harper, Sufjan Stevens or Iron & Wine will not be disappointed. Best album of the year so far.