JOURNEY INTO THE MORN

It never ceases to amaze me how IONA create so much atmosphere in their music. Waves and layers of sound that at times are awe-inspiring. Cool to hear guest Robert Fripp on a couple of tracks here as well. I guess you could call this album typical IONA although to be honest their sound is so unique as they play that atmospheric Celtic music with God praising lyrics. All I know is that their music moves me.

"Bi-Se I Mo Shuil-Part 1" is the short intro track of atmosphere (your going to see this word a lot) and vocals. "Irish Day" is a definite highlight. It's so uplifting and moving and the lyrics play with my imagination. "Wisdom" is a worship song with almost spoken vocals to start. It kicks in quickly and themes are repeated. Nice guitar before 3 1/2 minutes. "Everything Changes" is such a cool sounding track as we get a beat, vocal melodies and lots of atmosphere. "Inside My Heart" opens with gentle guitar and reserved vocals. Just gorgeous. It kicks in before 4 minutes. Nice bass and guitar here. Atmosphere rolls in late. So good. "Encircling" is the longest track at over 11 1/2 minutes. It sounds like wind chimes as vocals come in. Atmosphere too as it builds some. Percussion follows then some soaring guitar. Man it's so atmospheric it sounds like mellotron here. So moving. A spacey calm I guess you could say. It's almost haunting 5 minutes in. Check out the atmosphere before 5 1/2 minutes as well. It then kicks in with some excellent guitar. Atmosphere and vocals late. Such a meaningful track.

"Journey Into The Morn" is laid back with vocals, flute and atmosphere. "Lindisfarne" opens with waves of sound. Vocals before 2 minutes. It's fuller before 4 minutes. "No Heart Beats" is my least favourite I guess because it's too normal sounding and catchy. "The Search" and the next track features Fripp on Frippertronics and guitar-synth. The first one is an atmospheric instrumental with guitar-synth. Incredible ! "Divine Presence" opens with reserved vocals and acoustic guitar as the atmosphere rolls in. Love the lyrics. "Heaven's Bright Sun" has these loud outbursts of sound that come and go. Atmosphere takes over. Vocal melodies after 3 minutes. Drums and pipes follow. "Bi-Se I Mo Shuil-Part 2" opens with drums as vocals join in and the sound builds. Guitar before 4 minutes. "When I Survey" was originally written by Isaac Watts who wrote over 500 hymns in his life that were published.This probably the most famous, in fact Charles Wesley is reported to have said he would have given up all his songs just to have written this one. Again the atmosphere covers the soundscape like a thick fog as the guitar makes some noise. This is all about the vocals though that arrive before 2 minutes.

Easily 4 stars.