A painter creates her art upon a canvas-and a musician creates her art upon silence... building layer upon layer from quiet nothingness, fashioning a whole world to share with the rest of us. That is what Kristin Mooney has done with her latest CD, Hydroplane-- and what a work of art it is.

Listen to Hydroplane once and you may end up playing it all weekend long if you're in that kind of mood. Don't be surprised if Hydroplane puts you in that kind of mood. It will possess you for days, and you may find yourself utterly captivated, struck with the beauty of Mooney's voice, her lyrics and composition.

It is music that can take you across time and back, and give you words for the things you've felt but haven't been able to say. Each song paints a rich picture, tells a poignant story, and speaks to who we are on the inside. To me, Hydroplane is about journeying, and whether you are listening while you're road-tripping, or head-tripping, it makes a good travel companion.

Kristin Mooney does not fit neatly into any one genre; her music is described by some as alt-folk, others would say indie or even Americana. In my opinion, it is all of these, but none of these altogether. Whatever the case, it is stunning.

The band she has amassed for this CD is thoroughly impressive--drummer and percussionist Jay Bellerose, (Alison Krause/Robert Plant, T-Bone Burnett, to name a few,) one of my fav female bassists Jennifer Condos, (Ray Lamontagne, Joe Henry, Ryan Adams,) pedal steel and guitarist Eric Heywood, (Ray Lamontagne, Son Volt,) and keyboardist Patrick Warren, (Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann,) were all involved in the project. And Mooney-- well, her voice travels through the air as I imagine the Northern Lights might if you could hear them.

While I am drawn in by the opening track, As We Fly, it isn't until the subsequent, In the Grass that I'm fully taken. This song is ripe with desire, and I relate to the woman waiting for her lover. For me, the guitar is measuring out time, and the pedal steel echoes her longing, drawing me in deeper. Truly, the pedal steel is an instrument you hear with your heart as much as your ears.

The third track, Echo Lake, is more upbeat, and I love the character Mooney brings to life in this song. She is completely fleshed out-- chain-smoking menthols while she's polishing her toenails, drinking highballs and wearing Jackie O. glasses.

The title track, Hydroplane is the song that will have you pressing the back button on your ipod. It is gorgeous on all levels-- musically and lyrically; Mooney's phrasing is brilliant. Her arrangement of Burt Bacharach's, Say a Little Prayer is a deeper and more reverent rendition than the original. It is... remarkable.

My only criticism of the entire CD is that it is too brief at only 35 minutes. I was left selfishly wanting more. All the songs are lush and alive. They unfold in your mind's eye, delight your ears, and soothe your soul. They become a private soundtrack of one's very own. It wouldn't be surprising if we heard this in a film or on TV one of these days-maybe when the writer's strike is over.

Kristin Mooney is so much more than a gifted musician. She is an artist of many disciplines-a song painter, a storyteller, a playwright. Hydroplane is her masterpiece.

Stay tuned for upcoming dates! Until then, improve your life now and buy the disc.

Hydroplane is available at www.cdbaby.com/cd/kristinmooney
Contact Kristin Mooney at www.kristinmooney.com

kat@la2day.com