Product Review

Legendary multimedia artist David Lynch presents the follow-up to Crazy Clown Time, his acclaimed 2011 solo debut. The 2013 album sees Lynch returning to primary songwriting and performance duties, writing 11 out of the album s 12 tracks. Also included in the lineup is Lynch s signature take on the Bob Dylan folk classic "The Ballad of Hollis Brown, " and a bonus track contribution featuring acclaimed Swedish musician Lykke Li. The Big Dream was recorded over several months at Lynch s own Asymmetrical Studio with engineer Dean Hurley, who also contributes production and instrumentation to the album.

Describing his style of music as "modern blues, " Lynch says, "most of the songs start out as a type of blues jam and then we go sideways from there. What comes out is a hybrid, modernized form of low-down blues. " As you would expect from an accomplished film director, the songs are cinematic in scope. Lynch uses his reverb-drenched guitar and processed voice to summon primal moods and melodies that color a strange world populated by character archetypes familiar to fans of his films: the irresistible femme fatale in "Star Dream Girl, " the tender romantic in "The Big Dream, " and "Are You Sure, " the smooth psychopath in "Say It, " and the quirky oddball in "Sun Can t Be Seen No More."

While Lynch touches on modern electronic production ("Wishing Well" and "Last Call") and classically dreamy material ("Are You Sure, " "Cold Wind Blowin "), the album always manages to keep one foot rooted in the blues a style of music he loves. "The Blues is an honest and emotional form of music that is thrilling to the soul. I keep coming back to it, because it feels so good, " Lynch says. The double LP comes with a bonus 7", "I m Waiting Here, " featuring Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li. The B-side of the 7" contains a one-of-a-kind etching inscribed by Lynch.