DRESSED IN VOICES

Mostly Autumn is a name that I had heard for many years, but I never got the chance to hear their work until the sublime "The Ghost Moon Orchestra". Needless to say, after that surreal and wonderful album, I was so happy to see them release a new album called "Dressed in Voices". The eerie and lonely artwork is a fantastic introduction to this superb album.

Mostly Autumn has been a staple of progressive folk music for many years. The soft and docile female vocals are such a contrast to the Floydian guitars and the haunting atmospheres. Olivia Sparenenn provides the rich vox, and, oh, what a voice! Her highs are perfect, and her lows are gorgeous. She carries the album tremendously. The warm mix of male vocals, too, provides diversity and structure.

Instrumentally, "Dressed in Voices" takes the Mostly Autumn foundation to new heights and new places. I was instantly impressed with the big sound of the orchestrations, and the maturity and breadth of the music. I think a perfect example of this is the track "First Day of School", which contains a huge melody that soars and expands and feels all encompassing. I noticed that the guitars this time around are rather diverse. They remind me of Oldfield, Hackett, and Gilmour all at once, but the true genius of the solos and lines are never lost.

This band plays like a well-oiled machine or a single unit. The blaring flutes, the inventive bass and cool drums, and the incredible keys are all played with skill and elegance. Indeed, elegance is the primary adjective for this band and this album. Every track is played with finesse and artistry.

One of my biggest impressions of "Dressed in Voices" is the excellence found in each track. Each and every track has a beautiful, memorable melody that feels alive and vibrant. From the climaxes of "Saturday Night" and "Not Yours to Take" to the gigantic emotions of "First Day of School" and epic guitars of "Down by the River", this album fires on all cylinders. I honestly can't pick a favorite, as all of the tracks feature what I love so much about this band: climactic structures, haunting melodies, elegant instruments, flavorful guitars, and incredible vocals.

Mostly Autumn has struck gold with this wonderful album. It has a different tone than their last album, and I'm seriously impressed with the guitars, especially. There is so much space and so much gentility and dignity in this music, and so many stories to tell. Progressive folk is so good at telling stories, and Mostly Autumn is one of the best at this. Beauty is rare these days, so I recommend that you hear this album soon.