ALL IS DREAM

"All Is Dream" is absolutely brilliant, enchanting and extraordinary. The band's approach is a step up from the orchestral turn of Deserter's Songs. Musically, it is even more symphonic and darker. Jonathan Donahue's dreamy voice and lyrics are wonderful and here he sings some of the oddest love songs you're ever likely to hear.

I have had this on CD since it's release in 2001 and the music never tires, just listen to the opening "Dark Is Rising and the melancholy, floating "Nite And Fog" with the flowing strings and Fridmann's buoyant bassline. "Tides of the Moon" places you into another dimension. It is poweful and mysterious. I particularly love the unsettling, howling guitar work here. Other key points are the swirling beauty of "Lincoln's Eyes" and "A Drop in Time," which both share some intriguing, creeping riddles.

I love the dark, driving rocker "Chains". It also has a gorgeous bowed-saws outro. "Little Rhymes" makes the most from its beautiful pedal steel lines, accentuating Donahue's melody without obscuring it and "Spiders and Flies" proves the band doesn't always need fancy instrumentation to put the point across. This one is a simple piano ballad and stands as the most affecting song on the album. As Mercel caresses the keys, Donahue hauntingly confesses his fears. And, with shocking ease, the band shifts from these depths into the sleepy final track, "Hercules." There couldn't be a more splendid closer.

This album has really found a place in my heart. It's rare to find something so intelligent, graceful and strangely emotional. All of the tracks are great and more reviewers on this site should definitely hear them. 5 stars.