Roark_8's Full Review: Nomen est Numen by Stuart Davis
Stuart Davis is a face in the crowd. He is the name on the Upcoming Shows board that you glance at when you are getting your "Skim Mocha to go" at your local coffee shop. He is one of the many performers that traverse the national folk/acoustic circuit. There is, however, something special about this person. Something that makes people that you drag to one of his shows kicking and screaming leave giddy and with a couple of his CD's in their pocket. Stuart Davis' magic lies in his indisputable passion for everything: life, music, enlightenment. With this passion comes a couple of things. First, a show unlike any other. I think in his mind, part of enlightenment is the embracing of humanity. I venture to guess that many Stuart fans would never want him to become big for the sole reason losing the intimacy of his shows. I have seen many acts in many coffee shops; the connection one feels with the performer is unlike anything I have experienced. Its almost as the audience becomes a mass entity and has a conversation with Stuart. Second, the quest for spiritual enlightenment has taken a wonderful path across all of his CD's. With each CD that he releases, new doors of questions are opened about God, Sex, and understanding. As a listener, this is fascinating to attempt to comprehend. However, I'm getting ahead of myself, the object on the Review Block is Nomen Est Numen, Stuart Davis' fourth album.
Nomen Est Numen is Stuart's transitional album. It is one of his best because of this fact. It was his first and last CD released on a major record label (explaining it being the only one listed on epinions). Before this album, Stuart's main focus was on his broken heart and the political and social fallacies he saw around him. After this album, Stuart's main focus in music was on spirituality and that of which we cannot understand. So combined in this album is: a base work of some of the best social commentary that he his written (Stephen's Exhibition-a look into the art world, A**hole World Renown -a commentary on "The Ugly American") combined with an aching for something more, some sort of growth and understanding as a person (Fall Awake-the beginning of the quest of understanding, Disciple-a look at the forces that guide us). Musically, this album was his break away from acoustic to a more driven and diverse format. It contains everything from a soft melody to correlate with the emotions of being cheated on in Amsterdam, to a haunting melody to present the notion of letting your instincts guide you in Altruistic Viking, to a hard edge and even a ska riff in the unibomber-inspired Progress. This album is one of his triumphs as a writer and musician and is a complete joy to experience.
There has been a bit of debate on the title of the album, Nomen Est Numen. In an interview, I heard Stuart translate it as "To Name is To Know." So that is what he intended it to be. Although, some Latin scholars I have spoken with have had differing opinions, but I choose to stick with the author's intentions.
On a side note, since there is no forum for his other albums, I will give you a quick run down in case you are considering which one to buy.
Idiot Express-His first and far most endearing album. Perfect for those with an aching heart, especially Love is a Punch in the Throat.
Big Energy Dream-His only -not so good- album. 2 good songs, I Need and Miss Me. Outside of that, for Stuart nuts only.
Self Untitled-By far his most political album. Full of commentary (including self-mocking). Also contains the crowd favorite Universe Communion.
Kid Mystic-His first journey into the spiritual realm. Wonderful album full of great songs.
16 Nudes-if you own 1 album of his this is it. Kind of like a greatest hits with a glimpse into what a Stuart Davis show is like.
Bright Apocalypse-I, as a listener, is still trying to get into and understand this album. He says its 13 songs about God, but its about God in Stuart's own twisted way.
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