The songs here -- like most of her recordings -- deal with personal as well as universal issues. All of the tracks are originals, with the exception of 'Marblehead Neck' (by Steven Green) -- and Cindy, with the able help of long-time and worth co-conspirators Ellen Epstein and Michael Cicone, make it sound like it comes straight out of her heart and her life. There are three instrumentals among the selections here -- guitarists, eat your collective hearts out -- that showcase Cindy's formidable instrumental talents.

The standout tunes for me (and I love them all, don't be deceived) are 'Listen, I think the rain's come' (a powerful yet subdued opener), 'When I was now', 'Time came down' (a stunning and moving a capella arrangement of a song about making right but difficult choices), 'I don't have to...' and 'Come away to sea'. I'm repeatedly entranced by the instrumentals, but I have to say that 'Mystic aureole' is my favorite of the three.

If you've never heard Cindy's work, this album and WORKING ON WINGS TO FLY are a good place to start. DREAMING DOWN A QUIET LINE and THIS WAY HOME are harder to find (I'll bet you can do it if you try...) but well worth the effort. She also has a great duet album with Maine singer-songwriter Gordon Bok, appropriately entitled NEIGHBORS, which is a gem. I've introduced a lot of friends to Cindy's music -- and I've never found anyone who wasn't impressed with her work. It's honest songwriting, and from the heart -- and her vocal and instrumental talents only magnify the effect.