Reviewed by Paul Keeble

Not a solo album from an aptly forenamed drummer, but a fine piece of work by a band from New York. Nice packaging, great playing on a variety of instruments which all fit neatly into the intelligent and varied arrangements giving an original sound and a number of outstanding songs, with beautiful lyrics and melodies that by second or third play return to the ear with the welcome recognition of meeting old friends, Lead singer Annie Quick's wonderful voice reminds me at times of Sam Phillips, though the Alanis Morrisette-isms grate occasionally. The production is clear and open, and on some tracks like opener "You Will" not dissimilar lo T-Bone Burnetts on said SP's "Cruel Inventions" - i.e., inventive (no pun intended!). Highlights include "Like I Do" with its interchanging time signatures, the Corrs-influenced "Shade" and "Splendor"... "Dusk is to indigo spilling velvet to wrap around the world to comfort its yearning for daylight and our longing is to be loved by the maker of all this relentless splendor." Oh yes.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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