No Angel
Dido's debut is molded fromSarah McLachlan's intimate soul,Sinéad O'Connor's Celtic yelp, andBeth Orton's morose resolve--with all the sharp edges rounded out. Sculpted by producers Rollo (her brother) and techno-scientist Youth,No Angelis dream-pop mixed withPortishead-esque trip-hop; the results are midtempo ballads that would feel at home inSeal's neighborhood. The melancholy opener, "Here with Me," incorporates acoustic rhythm guitar, fluid strings, and a snare-driven tempo that simulates the slapping of rain off a windshield. "My Lover's Gone" is ethereal and misty, sounding at once ancient and modern with its synthesized ocean sounds and seagull cries. The only clunker is "Don't Think of Me," a passive, soft-bellied cousin toAlanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know." These songs play out beautifully in that quiet zone between slumber and consciousness--where you can see everything behind closed eyes.--Beth Massa