by Heather Phares

Brendan Perry's solo debut, Eye of the Hunter, builds on his reputation as Dead Can Dance's meditative, baritone singer/songwriter. Perry's rich vocals and the songs' orchestral-folk arrangements and somber titles give the album an intriguing Gothic/easy listening feel, similar to Scott Walker's darkest Baroque pop. Along with seven original tracks like "Medusa," "Saturday's Child," and "Archangel," Eye of the Hunter also includes a thoughtful cover of Tim Buckley's "I Must Have Been Blind." Though the stately pace of the songs becomes monotonous at times, Perry's first solo effort is a mature work worthy of his reputation.