Into Your Heart

by

Hothouse Flowers

Edit

First off, I admit it, I am a huge Flowers fan. I bought this CD as an import from Ireland the day it was released. What makes this Cd so special to me each member of the band wrote for this, with a very strong presence of the writing skills of Bass-mandolin-12 string guitar player Peter Ó Toole. Each song is a moment in time, a story. Each one breathes life. It is worth your money to buy this even just for the 2nd track "End of the Road" as far as I am concerned this is the best song about relationshhips ending, and trying to hold on, but knowing you have to let go. This song is amazing. Another standout track is "Magic Bracelets" a song written for, and inspired by the late Joe Higgs, reggae master, vocal teacher to Bob Marley, and from what I gather a closet Irishman. The opening track "Your Love Goes on" is a blistering bit of dancable funky. The Dublin Gospel Choir backs up on a few tracks including "Hallelujah", my only complaint is that they got produced out a bit, they could have brought the volume of the choir up a really good bit, it is nice but sounds to far away and wispy. Wispy is not a word I like to use to dscribe a gospel choir. Nice thought though. I wanted to hear the choir at full throttle and the female lead doing vocal soulful battle with Mr. Ó Maonlai, that would have been utterly perfect now wouldn't it have been?. I say buy this CD, and when the Flowers are in your area, GO SEE THEM LIVE. 'cause that is what it is all about. I love their music, but have yet to hear a CD that comes even close to the worst gig live. They were meant to be heard in person.

The best note on this CD is the last track "Sí Do Mhamo I" the final track on "Into Your Heart" it was recorded live at First Ave. in Minneapolis, and the electricity and excitement of a live gig comes through without being overly produced or tweedled with. I find myself playing this track over and over and over.

Why a 4 not a 5? Needs a couple more rocking tracks, needs to have been under-produced a good bit. OK enough of that! BUY IT! Then BUY TICKETS and go see them live!!!!! You will be changed.

I'm a huge Flowers fan who feels the magic of "People" has never been surpassed but who nonetheless loves all their previous albums, including "Born." Saw them in Boston last year when they played some of the songs on this album. When the media refers to this album as "raw" it doesn't mean powerful and unpolished. Instead, I found the album to be somewhat light, along the lines of Van Morrison. Beyond the first track, which would only be the third or fourth best song on any of their previous albums, there really isn't much that will hold your attention or make you sing along. Much of the album is wispy crooning coupled with unsophisticated lyrics. That being said, Liam's voice has never sounded better, and the band is still more heartfelt about their music than most out there. But here's hoping they return to the heights of "Hallelujah Jordan" and "At Last."