Dream Aria - In the Wake

Tracks

		Track Name	Length
	1	Spirit	04:09
	2	Sungoddess	04:31
	3	In the Wake - Soul	02:48
	4	In the Wake - Body	01:54
	5	Blue Lady	05:32
	6	Snapshot	03:33
	7	Pacis	04:46
	8	Promise	05:33
	9	He Touched My Soul	04:12
	10	Raindrops	03:33
	11	Opus Dei	04:25
	12	Spanish Nights	03:05
	13	11th Nour	03:54

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Information/Write-up

Jan 19, 2025 - added CD scans and transcription from the artwork - added to MOCM top 1000 Canadian albums of all-time.

Straight from Canada, Dream Aria unveils their universe with this highly eclectic debut album. So eclectic, in fact, that I wonder if In The Wake really belongs in MW...?

Led masterfully by their vocalist, the band is genuinely hard to categorize. Their style evolves within a strange blend of atmospheric, pop rock, and even dance-like rhythms at times, resulting in a highly personal and, to say the least, disconcerting sound. Each track is a new discovery, without a clear thread to guide the listener, which ultimately gives the impression of a nebulous jumble.

Ann Burstyn's vocals are the only reliable and recurring anchor throughout the album. Her well-controlled voice enchants across the compositions and fortunately brings to life a diaphanous personality that isn’t immediately apparent on first listen. Her range effortlessly shifts from whispers to operatic tones, gliding through a palette many metal vocalists might envy.

The musicians of Dream Aria dare to explore unconventional combinations, with a fair amount of success. Their soft, sweet melodies occasionally lean toward easy listening but never cross the line. Rarely do you find yourself on familiar ground. Certain moments might remind you of Mike Oldfield's commercial period, though not in a negative sense.

It will take several listens to grasp the essence of Dream Aria. The band excels in their ability to break free from any musical constraints. Following only their instincts, the musicians manage to overshadow the album's obvious lack of coherence, often carrying the listener, willingly or not, into uncharted territory.

Sometimes, there's a need to momentarily step away from your usual musical preferences to better appreciate them upon returning. Dream Aria is perfect for satisfying this fleeting appetite for novelty and difference.
-musicwaves

Ann Burstyn: vocals
Don Stagg: keyboards
Jozef Pilasanovic: guitars
Gary Gray: drums

Produced by Garry Flint
Recorded and mixed at Flintronix, Toronto, Ontario
Mastered by Nick Blagona at Metalworks, Canada, and Bitstream Studios by Christian Gaarn

Music by Don Stagg
Lyrics by Don Stagg, Ann Burstyn, and Ren Kennedy

Artwork by Ann Burstyn
Design by Julia Stagg
Photography by Christian Gaarn

Contact:
Don Stagg
24 Lawlor Street, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 6B8, Canada
Email: dstagg@cogeco.ca

Thanks to:
Liz Chaddock for the bagpipes in "Spirit"
Purchased sample CD-ROM sets used for sounds:

Liquid Grooves
Loop Soup
Burning Grooves
Backbeat
Real Megadrums
Kit Kats
Vocal Planet
Bass Legends
African Supreme Beats
Drumscapes
Pitbull Jungle Loops
Bizarre Guitar

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