White Hinterland - Phylactery Factory

Like everyone, Casey Dienel divides her time between two worlds: waking and sleeping. Unlike most of us though, the creative and undisputed dominant force behind White Hinterland has a mastery common to few, in which her art vividly and brilliantly captures what may only exist within her dreams, and brings it to us completely free of self-indulgence and accessible to all. With her wafer thin but deceptively powerful vocal the centrepiece throughout, Phylactery Factory is full of ideals and whim without ever appearing contrived. Inevitable comparisons to current flavour of the month Feist, and even vocally on occasion to Bjork, are not wholly inaccurate, though they only tell half the story. Beyond the melodic charm there's a lyrical prowess at play that invokes strong imagery and a groove worthy of Van Morrison (Hometown Hooray). Dienel's abilities shine from start to finish on what reveals itself to be a truly gorgeous album. [Finbarr Bermingham]