Reviewed by Ian Hayter

Miss Kristin's work has always been difficult to categorise, an amalgam of styles and influences which sometimes baffle but always engage listeners - and this disc is no exception. The 13 songs here focus the San Jose-based singer/songwriter's gaze on the joy and pain of relationships, bringing her multi-instrumentalist talents to bear on everything from drugs and the Devil (in "Serpents In The Night") to encouragement ("Miracles", "Slice Of Pie") and warning ("Heart Of Stone"). It took me several listens to get into it, but when I did the quality of Miss Kristin's voice (at times husky and vulnerable, at times powerful and strong) and the multi-layered musical arrangements became quite appealing. Some of the tracks have the feel of early Pink Floyd, with odd sound effects and almost chaotic backing, but others are driven by haunting melodies and lyrics of real passion. These are not songs you are likely to end up singing in the shower, but they certainly repay careful listening.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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