Nine Lucid Dreams (Dig)

Two Loons for Tea | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sarathan Records
• ASIN: B000S2B25W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,063 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Seattle has been synonymous with alternative rock since the late '80s and early '90s; it was Seattle and nearby areas in Washington State that gave us Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Tad, the Melvins, Green River, Alice in Chains, Hole, Mudhoney, the Foo Fighters, Screaming Trees, and Mother Love Bone, among many others. But being Seattle-based and being part of alternative rock doesn't necessarily mean being a part of grunge; Two Loons for Tea have been part of the Seattle scene since the '90s, and their adult alternative pop/rock is far from grunge. Instead, this duo has much more in common with the Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack, Portishead, and early Lush than it does with Pearl Jam or the Foo Fighters; instead of getting inspiration from metal, hard rock, or hardcore, Two Loons for Tea have been incorporating elements of jazz, cabaret, ambient electronica, soul and world music. That approach worked well for lead singer Sarah Scott and guitarist/keyboardist/background singer Jonathan Kochmer (the Seattle residents who comprise Two Loons for Tea) in the early to mid-2000s, and it continues to work well for them on 2007's Nine Lucid Dreams. As usual, Scott and Kochmer are joined by a long list of guest musicians; no less than 14 different players join them on this 47-minute CD, although not simultaneously. The personnel on Nine Lucid Dreams varies from track to track, but regardless of who is or isn't joining them on a particular song, there is never any doubt that Scott and Kochmer are the ones in command -- and Scott's lead vocals are very much the focal point on appealing, dusky items such as "Eyebrows Are Nature's Makeup," "Monkey," "Toxic Shellfish in the Sun," and the Latin-tinged "Consuela." Creatively, Two Loons for Tea don't lose anything at all on Nine Lucid Dreams.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical Morphine, August 2, 2010

By 

Nicole Houghtaling (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nine Lucid Dreams (Dig) (Audio CD)

Words could never do justice to describe this collection of songs that are nothing short of seductively ethereal. The third album from these genius musical dream-weavers has become a frequent sound track to my life. These songs conjure vivid circus character imagery, delivered by the sexy white chocolate vocals of Sarah Scott and complimented by rich, lush, textured layers of musical composition mastery. In this genre-defying CD, every track is phenomenal and I never tire of it; this is a task accomplished by few. Give it a listen-- even if you are on the fence pick up a copy. Every time you listen, you will become more memorized with the seductive, dreamy, sophisticated madness of Nine Lucid Dreams. While you're at it, pick up the other two CD's, I promise Two Loons for Tea is addicting.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Music, August 25, 2008

By 

LJ (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nine Lucid Dreams (Dig) (Audio CD)

This album is magical. From the very first song to the last the music sweeps you up into another world. The vocals are lovely and compelling and the music is as smooth as ice cream. The title track "Sunset Room" never fails to make a dull day magic and I adore the lyrics. "Monkey" is fun to listen to and extremely catchy. "Tragically Hip" is great to listen to driving around on a rainy day. On the whole this album is just refreshing, it isn't what you're hearing on the radio or the crappy snippets of pop songs they play on MTV now. It's a good sound, very smooth and yet, not dead or flat as trip hop and pop can sometimes be. I highly recommend this CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars lush, soulful, excellent performance and production, August 25, 2008

By 

B. McCourt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nine Lucid Dreams (Dig) (Audio CD)

this album is a great example of when excellent musicianship and thoughtful songwriting meets tasteful and adept production. the strings, mallets, drums, guitars, percussion, horns, keys, bass...all blend well with and compliment the vocals very nicely. it comes together to make a very lush and full sound and you can't help but tap your foot/bob your head to the grooves.

another strong point of this album (and Two Loons in general) is the diversity in songwriting styles. it's easy for an artist/group to fall into a rut and churn out repetitive material - that is NOT the case here.

i highly recommend this album. it's very inventive and well put together - an easy listen for any mood.