Crystal Sounds

Well, it's been a while getting to a release of the third album from this amazing and very underrated band.

This album has been worth the wait and from start to finish is a real treat for the ears.

Melodic, well crafted songs with intelligent lyrics and a delicate voice make this very easy on the ears but nonetheless it is carried off with substance.

Each track is worthy of 5 stars but the way in which the album has been put together makes me wish I could award an additional one. The order of the songs has been carefully thougt about and when listening to this from start to finish I found myself applauding at the end of the album. There are some additional tracks here vs the preview album (which the band initially made avaialable to all on their website), for clarity I've marked these with a "*" below.

1. Crystal Sounds - The opening number whichs starts of with what I can only describe as a pounding of hooves, but builds quickly into a really excellent track, full of layers and depth.

2. The Loneliest Star - Some great keyboard & guitar work on this track, which builds from a slowish start into classic Thirteen Senses. Echoes of tracks from their debut album but with an edgier feel.

3. Home - The best track on the album, for me by a mile. The chorus is just beautiful, and the guitar work superb. If it doesn't make it as a single I can see this appearing in some of the American dramas/sitcoms such as House etc.

4. Imagine Life - One of the weaker tracks in my opinion, although the lyrics are interesting. Think this is a song about aliens....

5. Suddenly (*) - The first "previously unheard" track and paced slightly faster than what we are used to. Some excellent lyrics "I must have been running for miles out of my mind, but I never got tired, I must have been wired", really enjoyable and a welcome addition.

6. Animals - Instrumental for the first couple of minutes, and builds layer upon layer right the way through, and leaves us with some floating strings. Mesmerising

7. After The Retreat - One of my favourites, excellent guitar work, slightly heavier in places but the lyrics are delivered brilliantly.

8. I Saw Stars Disappear - Classic guitar work with a familiar sound

9. Answer - A nice track, mid tempo with some haunting background vocals, but for me not one that really gives me that euphoric feeling.

10. Out There - A tinkling piano background offsets the slightly falsetto opening vocals, before building into familiar territory. Really like the ending, which is lengthy but worthwhile, and where the preview album ended.

11. Send Myself To Sleep (*) - A slightly meloncholy love song, with storyline type lyrics. A nice but undramatic song.

12. Concept (*) - Really like this new track, which works by building in familiar guitar & piano hooks with some of the usual fine lyrics. Seems to hold back the voice a touch, which adds a little something.

13. In The Crowding (*) - A brilliant track to end a fantastic album, feels familiar to something Crowded House would do whilst retaining their own unique sound.

Supremely enjoyable, a real pleasure to listen to, from a little known band. Get it now, and enjoy the magic before the commercial stations pick up on it.

This has been a long time coming. I saw them on Tuesday at the 'Garage in Highbury where they played their socks off and gave me a live sneak of the album that was waiting for me at home.
This work is arguably more refined than the first 2 but equally melodical, euphoric and triumphant. A huge amount of work has gone into this. If you know 'Contact' and 'The Invitation' then this will not disappoint you. They have grown up musically but haven't lost any of their charm and are very subtle in how some of these melodies really get hold of your head....
I love the fact these guys don't know how good they are. They could have it all if they really wanted it.

Hey I am 62 and just listened to Thirteen Senses, excellent band and Into The Fire is a classic in the making!! Now, where is me zimmer frame?Into The Fire