THE CRANE WIFE

For me this is the album of the year if not the decade so far! It was not off my car cd for a solid 6 weeks and having owned it for a good 3 months or more, I still have to restrain myself from listening to it every day. Although musically it echoes british prog folk, prime REM, Talking Heads, CSNY and even Genesis in parts (add your own others here), the secret is in the lyrics. I've not heard such beautifully told stories since..... maybe not ever. Only Dylan in his full pomp of Desire and Blood on the Tracks comes close. Oh, I feel dirty just suggesting that this album reaches such peaks. Still it does and I am! Stories are of fueding families, drowned innocents (and innocence), secret kingdoms and genius thieves. The language is eloquent and inspired and an underlying darkness clings to all occasionally lit through with a unexpected humour. Parts of it made me cry!! Having said all that I know a few people who just can't get on with Colin Meloy's vocal style. Still, it's the same with Robert Zimmerman! The warning came up when I was about to award 5 stars but I have no qualms at all.