Daniel Lanois - Shine (2003)

The man responsible for some of the greatest albums of the last twenty years presents his third and finest solo release. Daniel Lanois Shine is warm, organic and dazzling; the songs run the gamut from melodic roots/pop to distinctive, pedal steel fueled instrumentals. One listen to Shine, and you will hear how artists from U2 to Bob Dylan to Peter Gabriel have benefited from Daniel's unique talents.

Daniel Lanois, while a prolific producer, is is a frustratingly sporadic recording artist. Hes also a surprising one, given that the albums he has produced (think of The Joshua Tree, All That You Cant Leave Behind, So, Oh Mercy) are characterized by surging, luxuriant audioscapes, his own works are resolutely modest. Shine, indeed, is almost lo-fi. The only link between Lanoiss big-budget productions and this unassuming record is the personnel. Lanois possesses a star-studded Rolodex and hes not shy about using it: Emmylou Harris contributes backing vocals to the opening track, while "Falling at Your Feet," is a duet with its co-author, Bono . The remainder of Shine features thoughtful, subtle songwriting. Meanwhile, the limitations of Lanoiss vocals lend an engaging frailty, leavened with bleak, lonely, instrumental interludes. --Andrew Mueller