r e v i e w s Hush - TrueTunes Ether Records By Todd Brown Still best known for his time with Over the Rhine, guitarist, producer and songwriter Ric Hordinski continues making a strong case to be recognized as a major talent in his own right with this, his second full length release as Monk within six months. Hush is a gorgeous instrumental album filled with stacks of lushly layered and textured guitar tones. The obvious comparison is to the instrumental work of uber-producer Daniel Lanois as the two share a fondness for airy effects and omnichords, but this has more intimacy and warmth than anything Lanois has played since his Acadie album. Each cut has a tone and personality entirely its own from the warm ambiance of Cascades and Bitte, to the quietly pastoral Ring Out (Ye Crystal Spheres), to the almost ominous Tattoo and Coal Train, to the quiet groove and eastern violin of Shiva. Many instrumental projects have a tendency to get a bit boring by the end, this isn't a worry here. Hordinski is simply too good a player, producer and arranger for that to happen. Another excellent project from Hordinski.