Search - Cranes :: Future Songs

After years of waiting........

sbowe23 | Brooklyn, NY United States | 06/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Cranes have finally released a new album. Once again, the band has moved in a new direction with their music. However, the sound is still unmistakably Cranes, with the heavenly vocals of Alison Shaw and the exceptional production of brother Jim Shaw. The songs are "lighter" than earlier releases, yet are more substantial than the band's previous offering, Population 4. If you've never heard the Cranes before, this album would be a wonderful introduction. If you're already a fan, do not miss this album! You will not be disappointed. Personal favorites: Don't Wake Me Up, Driving In The Sun, The Maker Of Heavenly Trousers."

Whatever may come

Adam Carroll | 09/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cranes' newest effort, Future Songs, is 11 tracks' worth of quiet contemplation. It's a CD you can put on while drawing, reading a letter, or just sitting back and thinking. It works best in these kinds of surroundings, because this is very subtle music - and thus takes the right atmosphere to really hear the many different layers that it contains.That said, the songs here range from murky, underwater affairs ("Submarine," "Don't Wake Me Up") to thunderous (the brief "Eight") to sunbeams ("The Maker of Heavenly Trousers" - simple, but so beautiful it's worth the price of the CD). Alison Shaw's keening vocal floats just above the musical accompaniment, singing straightforward, introspective lyrics. The whole CD seems to have been dipped in a big echo filter - not overdoing it and burying the music, but just enough to give each track a special resonance.Don't listen to this in the car. Put it on at home when you have a quiet hour to spend, and Future Songs will be in its element. Recommended."