Listen

Michelle Tumes's airy and ethereal-sounding Listen draws the inevitable comparisons to Enya and Sarah McLachlan. But while the title track and "My Constant One" pay homage to these secular sisters, Tumes carves her own aural niche with a densely layered mix of piano, strings, and programmed rhythms. At times, the dreamlike quality of the music enhances Tumes's unique style, although at other moments it nearly suffocates her beautiful voice, as well as a handful of well-crafted songs. Qualms aside, Listen is a formidable debut release from one of contemporary Christian music's most interesting artists. "Heaven Will Be Near Me," "Healing Waters," and the superb "Please Come Back" are the release's shining moments. --Michael Lyttle