(New Age, Meditative, Neo Classical, Celtic) [CD] Secret Garden - Earthsongs (2005), FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Before I review this album, I highly recommend that anyone who loves Secret Garden try and find the Norwegian version of this CD if you can. It contains a total of 15 tracks, 3 additional, "Sarabande" which is pretty mediocre, "Canzona" a pretty good ethnic tune, has a lot of Italian/Greek sounding influences, and "Silence Speaks" that is one of the best songs on the album. Why this was cut from international release, I cannot begin to understand.

That aside, I will review the album released here. Out of the 5 studio albums this group has done, this one is clearly the weakest of the 5 from top to bottom. Not saying that it is necessarily bad, but definately not as deep as any of the other releases.

The dark, contemplative mood of all of their previous work is gone, replaced with a more bland and simplistic release. Though there are some signs of depth, paricularly in the first track, Sometimes When It Rains. It is ruined by taking the instrumental song and setting lyrics to it later in the album..."Half a World Away." Once lyrics are placed over a song, the listener really loses the ability to place their own thoughts and experiences into the song, which in turn make it personal. Instead, the song becomes about whatever the lyrics dictate, and unfortunately, a very good instrumental song is lost.

As for the rest of the album, there are some places where the groups previous work appears. "When Darkness Falls," is probably the best example of what made Secret Garden. Unfortunately, what is left of the remaining 9 tracks does not really stand out. "The Reel" which is fair but not exceptional and "Daughters of Erin" that is pretty darn good. "Grace" is also fairly good song, but just seems to be too little too late as far as instrumentals go. "Lotus" and "Fields of Fortune" are pretty "meh" songs. "Silence Speaks" is much better than both, in my opinion.

Finally are the other lyrics songs. "Always There" is not too bad but does not have the powerful effect that You Raise Me Up did on the previous release. Very sadly missing is Karen Matheson on this album. In her stead steps a lesser known and not nearly as good singer for "Sleepsong" which basically suceeds in throwing in every possible cliche for a lullabye into one song. Finally, is "Raise Your Voices" which is a very stirring song done with a full orchestra and choir.

All in all, it is a good album, but it is almost sad that the group's personality from the last 4 albums is almost non-existant in this release. It is good music, but it isn't something that I can say blew me away here, and I am a devoted fan of the group. If you are a fan and have all the other albums, no doubt, go pick it up. If you are thinking about trying something new...Please, do yourself a favor and start at White Stones or Songs from a Secret Garden, both of which are nothing short of incredible.