Paul Lawler Lucid Dreamer Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Walk While the City Sleeps')

Before you immediately dive for your cheque books, usually a mandatory reflex to any Paul Lawler release, be aware that this is a very different PL release when compared to his 'Bronx Age' or 'Year Zero' output. Many of you may be aware that Paul's "day job" is to compose music for television and films, as well as for relaxation/meditation purposes. 'Lucid Dreamer' is a glimpse of Paul's output in this style.

The title track 'Lucid Dreamer' is a real grower, with an infectious and subtle melody picked out on a variety of synth vox. The beat is chugging, the style very laid back, but the expertise and skill is very much in evidence. Superb. 'A Traveller's Tale' certainly packs in the variety. Initially the Irish pipes suggest a cold North Atlantic Sea and a guy in a crow's nest saying "what's that big white thing ahead?". It soon deviates into a delightfully atmospheric guitar/piano section which has a Mediterranean feel, the chugging beat then intensifies and African voice samples take us into Deep Forest territory, before melding into native American Indian style ala 'Sacred Spirits'. The way it's put together is amazing.

'The Poet' is the weirdest thing I've heard from Paul, a slightly menacing piano motif is repeated with various atmospheric touches, joined by Chinese sounding narration throughout the track. Just can't get on with this at all. 'Sunchaser' brings back the Deep Forest style with a beguiling beat and subtle melody and more African voice samples. Translucent sequencing is then introduced, a major diversion from Paul's usual EM style is the lack of "in yer face" sequencing on this release. 'Dreamtime' presents voice samples, ethereal synth pads and more beautiful sublime melody which does sound line a tear-jerker moment from a movie.

'Soul Dance' is a very sophisticated track punctuated by Russian - or Greek (can't really decide) interludes and latterly more east European voice samples bring to mind Deep Forest or even Enigma. The classical horn accompaniment is brilliant, in common with this whole album the subtle detail is brilliant. This is amply demonstrated on the next track 'Walk While the City Sleeps', with beautiful piano and wispy synth backing which overall brings to mind the early works of Peter Buffett or David Arkenstone. It gathers pace with an excellent syncopating sequence and choppy synth chords any overall this is the highlight of the album so far. Totally fantastic.

'Cerulean Skies' is more minimalistic, less lush than some of the previous tracks but again impresses. Finally 'White Steps' brings more chugging riffs and marvellous melody, picked out on voice treatments in almost 'Zoolook' fashion.