Between Darkness & Wonder

Springing from the trip-hop revolution, Lamb have proved themselves to be masters of their genre. With Between Darkness and Wonder, they consolidate earlier advances rather than invade new territories. Recorded in a farmhouse just outside Bath, their fourth album has singer Lou Robinson and techno-wizard Andy Barlow in fine form. Though the opening "Darkness" is a mess of burbles, scratches, and disjointed synths, they quickly find their feet with the quiet clatter and beautifully blended vocals of "Stronger" and the smooth bass and swirling effects of "Sugar 5." Following the instrumental "Angelica," they introduce a deft folky guitar for the excellent and eventually storming augury of "Till the Clouds Clear," and this remains in place for the intimate, innocent "Wonder" and mildly rocking "Sun." Throughout, Barlow creates a series of blissful, sometimes turbulent backdrops for Robinson's sweet voice, cast somewhere between Beth Gibbons and Victoria Williams. In turn, she explores the minutiae of problematic relationships while remaining ever positive. --Dominic Wills