At Swim

Amazingly gorgeous album.. rich and varied songs, lush and layered at times, and other times more acoustic and sparse. All with Lisa's gorgeous voice shimmering throughout. This is an album with so much depth, far surpassing the simplicity of her previous albums. Would we dare to say 'a mature album' ? Anyway, it's beautiful! It's on repeat non-stop here.

Listening to this album! My first listen was via NPR's First Listen and it was a little shocking in that this album is a very different sound from Lisa's previous albums, Sea Sew and Passenger. While different than her first two, it is no less stunning or impressive and the new sound is indicative of her growth as an artist and a person. I have loved this one from my first listen and I love it even more with every subsequent listen. I find myself singing bits and pieces throughout the day and then have to listen to the whole thing. Aaron Dessner's production is absolutely gorgeous and Lisa's amazing voice is the star of the album (as it rightly should be!). I find it impossible to rank this album with her others, it's as if she is a different person altogether and this album just cannot be compared with the previous ones. It would be like asking me to pick a favorite child! Favorite tracks include: We, the Drowned (has a very early-Lisa Hannigan sound with lots of horns), Fall, Snow, Undertow, Lo, Ora...ok, pretty much the entire album. Fans of her older work will definitely have a little bit of a surprise with this one, but give it a chance- it is just so good.

I gave this one a listen when it first came out and just couldn't get one board. I knew that the music was brilliant but its tone and mood weren't right for me at the time. I went back to it a few weeks ago and guess what... it was still great song writing AND it was cloudy outside! HUZZAH! the perfect combo. This haunting album is so layered and beautiful. It's a a warm blanket on a cold morning. My fav tracks are Undertow, Funeral Suit and Snow.

I recommend this album. It has little of the whimsical charm of her previous releases. It's different and somewhat darker, but quite beautiful.This is a traditional album. Not just a collection of songs, as we more often get in the digital download age. Consequently it takes more than one listen to discover the album. There are no hit singles and no weak songs.The biggest revelation on the album is her voice. It's always had character and husky warmth, but by God can this girl sing too. It's hard to find both in one vocalist.A friend called it "great backgound music" over dinner the other day. And, OK, it is. But that's reductive. When your guests go home, you can sit back turn the pages on this album discovering a little more each time. A beautiful body of work.

If you're into rap, metal, hip-hop, country, etc., then you should not spend your money on this one.However, if you have the mind to appreciate the efforts of one who is inclined to share her soul without disguise or embellishment then you won't be disappointed here. As a songwriter, her style is unabashedly unique, and I use the word "unique" deliberately. I have critiqued many types of music over the years, and I've tried to imagine who would compare to her, but they all come up short -- she has no equal that I've found.If you're not immediately drawn to her songs that's okay, you will surely have to acknowledge the beauty of her voice. Give her compositions a second (or third) listen if necessary and you will be glad you did.Being familiar with her first two albums (and the many covers that she does) I was not really ready for the differences that she presents here.Take the time to search some of her interviews and other stuff on YouTube and elsewhere, get familiar with her story and background, and go ahead and fall in love; it's alright.

Lisa is back with her third album. Its very grown up matured album, love it.

One of the most beautiful voices in music. At Swim is wonderfully rich musically and a true pleasure to listen to.

I'm a little late to the party. I didn't know Lisa had a new album out until the other day. I've had her first 2 releases for years and enjoy them.At Swim is another great collection of moving heartfelt songs. I'll be enjoying this CD for years to come.