FROM DREAMING TO DREAMING

Not much has changed in the Farpoint universe from their debut to their third album. It's pretty much the same formula of raunchy R&B influenced songs alternating with folkier ballads, all with an earnest Christian slant. Acoustic guitars and organs predominate, with the gruff male and angelic female vocals reminding of MOSTLY AUTUMN, although here the contrast is even greater.

On "From Dreaming to Dreaming", most of the harder edged tracks occur early, and seem less authentic than the more melodic tunes. Probably the best example of the combination of styles into one piece is the sublime "Crying In the Rain", with its crunching organ dominated verses giving way to a sensitive floating chorus in which both singers play call and response roles. But the track of most progressive interest is the 10 minute "Sojourn", which combines immediately catchy moments with more intricate segments. The lead guitar is especially soaring here. Other noteworthy tunes include "Nothing at all" and its sister "Anything at all", and "O Lost", which reminds me of late 60s/early 70s folk music brought into the new millennium. Lovely flute work here, and a final muscular boost of electric guitar.

As usual, FARPOINT delivers an above average disc of accessible prog folk with symphonic and heavy tendencies. At this point it might be unrealistic to expect more, but I suppose one can dream.