Dreams of Sedona

Album Review

The title fits the album perfectly. Dream, dreamier, dreamiest. Alexander ventures into twilight sleep with the first cut. Alexander's easy vocal dances "to the light" buoyed by rhythms of resonant thumping similar to Ray Lynch's Deep Breakfast. Fifteen intriguing dreamscapes follow — some abstract, others melodic — beginning with the endearing "Dreaming of a Crickets Song"; here, cricket chirps seem to be stardust among soothing space winds and a lullaby theme, later, the canyons become water filled, and the dolphins sing merrily in the surf. "A Baby's Dream" offers charming gurgles and coos of awe, but Alexander also takes the listener to those grave and ghostly places so necessary to create dramatic tension. (No pain, no gain.) Resounding basses, sparkling highs, and embracing mid-tones give "Dreams of Sedona" a juicy mystical presence and intriguing spatial atmosphere. Melodies on guitar and sax are balanced with synthesized space winds, galactic drones, nature sounds, crystal buzz saws, chimes, angel choirs, and tasty rhythmic interplays. The only small clinker is the last piece, "Child on the Road," a pop anthem attempt that doesn't quite cross the finish line.