Rightly known as one of the most gifted and creative singer/songwriters around today, Dar has steadily built on her reputation with her 3 solo albums and the excellent Cry Cry Cry collaboration with Shindell & Kaplansky. This new album reinforces and extends that reputation as she has produced her best, most mature album to date.
This disc has more diverse elements than her others - shifting from folk ballad on 'We Learned the Sea', to the hymn-like 'Calling the Moon', to the pure Americana pop of 'What Do You Love More Than Love', via all points in-between.
Despite the musical variety, it's the disarming honesty and simplicity of the confessional 'After All' that provides the albums high point. Acoustic guitar, subtle hammond organ and discreet percussion provide the backdrop the best vocal performance on any of her discs - it's certainly the best single track to pass through our doors all year.
Multi-instrumentalist Steuart Smith and producer Stewart Lerman have added a rich variety of instrumental textures and subtleties to the 11 tracks - it's these extra touches like the banjo and accordion on the albums closer 'Another Mystery' that add depth, and make already good songs into great ones.
The Green World is a consistently first-rate collection in all aspects; vocally, lyrically and musically - and there's enough variety to yield new facets and subtleties on repeated listens. This album has much to offer, there really is something for everyone on here; it's difficult to see which album will beat this to our album of the year spot come December.

£10.99 (STANDARD CD EDITION)

Other edition of this disc include

Dualdisc CD & DVD (entire album in 5.1 Dolby Digital plus photos, video and lyrics on one side, standard CD audio on the other) full details £14.49

DVD Audio (album in 5.1 Dolby Digital plus photos, video and lyrics). Will only play on DVD players. full details £7.99