Belladonna
For years, Daniel Lanois has been producing lush soundscapes for his own projects as well as those he's produced. From U2'sThe Unforgettable Fireto Emmylou Harris'sWrecking Ball, Lanois's distinct floating-in-the-clouds sound is instantly recognizable to even the most casual listener. Direct comparisons to master producer Brian Eno are not just obvious, they are inevitable; Lanois admits to being Eno's apprentice through the ambient master's instrumental projects in the '80s and '90s.  After making a few singer/songwriter discs, Lanois says he decided to go fully instrumental onBelladonnato allow all listeners to "use their imagination and build their own scenario" rather than having the story handed to them. In that, he has succeeded. The focus here is unquestionably on the music--long, languid compositions built largely around pedal steel guitar. Unlike Lanois's previous discs, which included guest performers from Emmylou Harris to Willie Nelson to Bono, no famous friends appear here. Instead, much like theSling Bladesoundtrack (which Lanois penned), this disc remains a dreamy collection best suited to yoga, candlelit baths, and other moments of dusk fading to darkness.--Denise Sheppard