Highways

Lanterna | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 2, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Badman Records
• ASIN: B0001GF2EC
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,613 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Henry Frayne gives us more luminescent guitarscapes, March 2, 2004

By 

William Merrill "eclecticist" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Highways (Audio CD)

An hour with Henry Frayne, creator of music under the band name Lanterna, is a little like an hour of exploring the ocean depths or the vast reaches of space. He creates sonic pictures of the mind with his lingering, layered electric guitar chords and atmospheric melodies. The leadoff track, "Clear Blue," is just the latest fine example of Mr. Frayne's instrumental art. It shimmers with a kind of subliminal beauty, made by echoing sustained guitar tones that could be described as "ambient," but are best appreciated without concern for category. The CD is called Highways, and listening to its nine tracks is indeed something like a journey along the back roads, sometimes in contemplation and sometimes in sheer enjoyment. On this fourth Lanterna disc, the trend continues (begun on the Sands CD) of mixing in more of a rock feeling with some of the songs. This time it's on the Metheny-esque "Brooklyn" and especially on "Brightness," which features some David Gilmour-like choppy electric guitar chords.

As much of a huge Lanterna fan as I am, I'm a little sad to hear some signs of stagnation on Highways. A song such as "Canyons," a gentle acoustic-electric number that never really goes anywhere, makes me wonder if Henry has taken this particular "instrumental themes" thing about as far as it'll go. I hope not, because I'm still prepared to travel along with him for awhile longer.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Spaces You Forgot to Listen In, March 29, 2005

By 

David Biddle "Jango" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Highways (Audio CD)

If you were dreaming and driving at night with someone you love, this album is what you would hear on the wind.

We've got access finally to a lot of independent, new music. This is a time to explore and if you're up for it, anything by Lanterna (Henry Frayne is the key individual) is worth the time and the money. Highways is the latest incarnation of this talented musician's sonic mind. I listen to Highways in the early morning and sometimes driving by myself at night. This is definitely music to listen to by yourself. It is music for the soul--jangly guitar, acoustic rhythms, textured drums, poetic vibrations, and ambient sounds...even an intentional few minutes of silence in there on the title track for those of us who pay attention--and a payoff afterwards...kind of an untitled new composition.

Word is that Lanterna's coming out with a new album sometime in the summer so pay attention. Highways is a great jumping point for the uninitiated though. Elm Street is still my favorite, but I'm really looking forward to the next edition. Stay tuned.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An American Beauty, February 24, 2008

By 

0=0 (Earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highways (Audio CD)

I had just recently discovered this, and the excellent "Sands" cd at a local independent seller, and how glad I am I did. The gorgeous photography on the covers initially caught my attention, as did the intriguing, simple titles. Like the photography, the music has a majestic yet understated quality--not corny or overblown, the songs on disc seem to gently creep into the listener's subconscious, and this album gets better with each listen. It's those essential contrasts--desolate yet hopeful, edgy yet accessible, that work so well here. Some moments are reminiscent of Lanois, Labradford, even U2's the Edge. On rare occasion, there is some singing, used as simply another instrument in the mix of moody, dusty, rustic atmospherics. Fortunately, this music doesn't fall into safe, New-Agey blandness, though I personally prefer a little more experimentation in music. Still, there's something to be said for music like this, frill-free and mature, confident to reside in a subltle, sonic universe. I certainly look forward to tracking down more from Laterna soon, after hearing this, and "Sands".