Any singer who can deliver lines like "We are ever-changing like the wind - ride that wind chime" with a straight face deserves a measure of respect.
Canadian vocalist Sienna Dahlen sings these at the end of Transient Nature, a track which is fairly representative of the cosmic 'go with flow' mood of this album.
Other instructions such as "Let your body flow and fold into a flower" (Mads'ness) or "Breathe out the fear, Let the freedom take you there" (Misconception) would not be out of place on a relaxation tape promoting mind-spirit harmony.
A oneness with the universe is also a strong theme in Grace ("I'll take you the moon") and Earth Tones Droning.
If you can tolerate these new age musings, the album does succeed in creating a seductive atmosphere with the languid charm of Dahlen's voice (a little like K.D. Lang at times) being well-suited to the ultra-smooth jazz arrangements.
Her collaborator on the project is Danish Jazz pianist Mads Baerentzen and the record also features a core line-up of acoustic bass, drums and trumpet with guest artists on guitar, violin, viola and cello.
Bahlen sings mainly in English although there is one French song (Sentiment Sans Maison) and the standout track, Stray, has lyrics in both English and French to enhance the romantic flavour of a song which is an elegant study of stillness and control.
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The latter is one of two songs written solely by Sienna, the other being Misconception. The rest of the nine original compositions were co-written by Dahlen and Baerentzen.
The remaining two tracks are brave, yet fatally flawed, covers of songs by Radiohead and Nick Drake - Faust Arp and River Man respectively. The chilled mood suits Drake's classic more but, almost inevitably, both songs pale in comparison to the originals.
Lifelines is a beautifully played and immaculately produced album but mostly this also gives it a sterile quality. In striving for perfection it glosses over the flaws that give the music a sense of humanity; as Leonard Cohen once wrote "there's a crack in everything; that's how the light gets in".
Sienna Dahlen's website
Mads Baerentzen's website
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