JOURNEY INTO THE MORN

IONA are an English band who play a certain atmospheric - ambient - space styled Celtic art rock. In many ways IONA combine the vocal and symphonic clouds of ENYA with the musicianship and themes of Mike OLDFIELD. IONA use a vast array of traditional Celtic instrumentation including the Harp, Big Bass Drum, Shakers, Ribbon Crasher Bells, Chimes, Tin Whistles, Flute, Low Whistles, Uilleann pipes, and Whitby Shell Chimes. The end result is quite amazing and layered on with E-Bow, electric and acoustic guitar and the unmistakable vocals of Joanne Hogg, creates some simply mesmerizing musical moments. Robert Fripp (KING CRIMSON) appears on several tracks adding his guitar wizardry and of course 'Frippertronics'. Overall this is a great album and although you may find it filed under Christian rock, Scandinavian rock, or perhaps even "easy listening", ignore the classification and pick it up...

I'm sorry, but I'm not as impressed as the other reviewers are of this disc. Sure, Joanne Hogg has a sweet, ethereal voice, but her singing is rather flat in spots and bland. She'll soar at times, but for the most part it sounds the same on every song. David Bainbridge plays a nice guitar with some tasty soloing especially during "Heaven's Bright Sun" but again, it's rather bland and lifeless for most of the album. Drums and bass are rather pushed to the side with nothing standing out at all. What really shines, or if you will, blankets this album from start to finish is Bainbridge's keyboards, he just dominates everything with a wall of gothy new ageness. The overall effect of Bainbridge's keys gives one the feeling of loneliness and dispare, (ands there's nothing wrong with that sometimes). Sure, there's all sorts of Irish instruments to give you that bit of Celtic spiritness, but other then the jig that pops up in spots and the catchy "Lindisfarne" and "Bi- se i mo shuil" it's doom and gloom wrapped in religious overtones. If night music to put you to sleep is what you clammer for, this is the ticket. It's just about average, yet not so bad. Oh, and if you're a Robert Fripp fan and must have everything he plays, he shows up on this disc. Try and spot his spots....

This band is getting better now. Some improvements were already noticeable on their third album "Beyond These Shores" and this one is of the same level.

One thing is for sure : Gary Latimer must have listened to this album when he was writing "Harbour of Tears". Both opening tracks are so similar (but written before) to "Irish Air". Same mood and almost same title ("Irish Day" for the second one.)

When you listen to "Wisdom" the inspiration of a band like "Mostly Autumn" makes no doubt. Great vocal performance by Joanne Hogg as well. Here and there some blunder like "Everything Changes" as well as "No Heart Beats" but nothing too damaging.

"Mostly Autumn" will also make the habit writing some average first part and close with a great guitar solo. This is the case for "Inside My Heart". But at this time of the album, I must reckon that the spacey and ambient mood is rather monotonous.

Most songs from here onwards sound a bit of the same and even if the longest track "Encircling" is pleasant to listen to separately, it just falls into the same trap and only confirms the (too) tranquil music played here.

Some true folk songs, but again on the very soft side with "Journey Into The Morn" and "Lindisfarne". This album is again ultra long (almost eighty minutes). It would have been beneficial to cut it down by twenty minutes to make it more attractive. But this is a habit of "Iona".

Some good and atmospheric instrumental parts as "The Search" or the folkier "Heaven's Bright Sun" are beautiful of course. So, I recommend to listen to this album bits per bits (and skipping the two songs I have mentioned above). Otherwise some boredom feeling might invade you.

Three stars.

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.