#Xavier rudd stargaze jimmy kimmel full#

Is retreat into this kick-drum really valid? In this context of fresh-faced hope, the heartbeat-fueled upbeat songs seem oddly escapist - like those dancing scenes in the second Matrix movie. The problemвЂ™s exacerbated by the fact that the new album has a higher quotient than usual of RuddвЂ™s more tranquil, softer songs. While White Moth is many moments of undeniable, sometimes infectious optimism, RuddвЂ™s music is so passive that it fails to really register.

Ever since, and this is reflected on RuddвЂ™s third studio album White Moth, there has been a growing avoidance of judgment, a growing all-together vibe of live-and-let-live, all under the banner of nature-worship.

#Xavier rudd stargaze jimmy kimmel full#

RuddвЂ™s last album, Food in the Belly, was full of appealing radio-friendly hits filled with a new-found sense of gentleness - perhaps from RuddвЂ™s new role as a father, as well as a musician.

And on RuddвЂ™s out-of-time, fragile slide-guitar version of вЂњNo Woman No CryвЂќ. One one night in New York, there seemed a heavier reggae backbone to hits like вЂњLet Me BeвЂќ and вЂњSolaceвЂќ, elements somewhat masked on the recorded version. His music, live, is simpler and more direct than on record: the songsвЂ™ simple, honest character shines easily through. And, occasionally, like Graceland-era Paul Simon. His voice is light but earthy, a little like Ben Harper and a little like Jack Johnson.

On stage, the Australian roots artist spreads goodwill like sunshine, in a green t-shirt with a tree on it, with his salt-bleached, blonde hair straggly and free. If smiling counted for anything Xavier Rudd would be as big as U2.