songs of simple dreams

Smoke Ring Days | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue City Productions
• ASIN: B00005MNGW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #519,021 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Finally available in the US after several years as an import-only UK release, Songs of Simple Dreams lures the listener by weaving earnest songwriting, transcendent lyricism, nouveau blues, and Alt-Americana arrangements into the fabric of a new musical consciousness. Coloured by lush and haunting harmonies and soaring guitar work, the album is a painstakingly-crafted patchwork of moving material, from the powerful protest music of ‘August Sun’ and ‘Darkness on the Land’ to the fragile folkiness of ‘Daydream Tomorrows’ and the sweet sensuality of ‘Baby, Don’t You Follow.’ With Songs of Simple Dreams, Smoke Ring Days creates aural commentary that spans the gamut from heartfelt emotional outpourings to well-placed political punches.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like songs that make powerful statements, June 17, 2006

By 

Drew Fraber (under a clear blue sky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: songs of simple dreams (Audio CD)

What convinced me to by this album was the song "Lord Let Me Live Again". I am not into organized religion, and not religious at all really, but something really struck me about that song. It reminds me of some of my other favorite artists who write about religion and spirituality but never shove it down your throat, it is just there at times. The other thing I like about this album is the interesting mix of sounds, besides the usual guitar, bass and drums there are so many other unique sounds like flutes, mandolins, acordian, marimba and more. This is a good trip from start to finish. I would consider Smoke Ring Days to be good songwriters, the material here is quite good. I really like songs that make powerful statements. Listen to "August Sun" and "Darkness on the Land" - powerful stuff to say the least. It is obvious these people create soulful poetic music deep from within their souls. A real treat to the senses.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars They Have a lot to say, April 28, 2006

By 

CheeseKake "Cat Girl" - See all my reviews

This review is from: songs of simple dreams (Audio CD)

What really strikes me about this band is the meaningful songs they write. Take "Sleeping With Open Eyes" a song about the cold war or "Darkness on the Land" a song about the struggles of Native American people or "Lord Let Me Live Again" a song about spiritual awakening. These are all well thought out lyrical and musical ideas. I am a fan of mostly folk-rock and although Smoke Ring Days have a much heavier sound they both write great songs with great lyrics. Smoke Ring Days at times remind me a little of old U2, the same urgent passion of a band really giving it all they've got just to get heard. I think they have succeded, because this is a really good CD. I purchased this CD because of the mp3 of "Sleeping with Open Eyes" I got from Pitchfork Magazine and I was very impressed. if you like powerful and passionate music you will most likely enjoy this album, they Have a lot to say.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sounds good, October 26, 2005

By 

Jann Mass (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: songs of simple dreams (Audio CD)

I remember when I first heard this album, playing at a local radio station when it first came out, and a thing that struck me was how well it sounded as a whole. As opposed to many albums that are one or two good songs sprinkled among the song filler. It's hard to pick a "best" song on the album, but my favourites have to be the powerful and lyrical "The Healing Time" and true and moving, "Darkness on the Land". Their hearts are certainly in all of the songs, and it shows. The digital remastering is a bonus. There are some diffrent songs on this U.S. version where is "Frontline", one of the best songs is missing.