I first got this album purely on my reading of the customary purple-prose description in the Projekt catalog, which made me expect something like Red House Painters, without really having any idea what it was like. So I ordered it in the mail, and once I got it, gave it quite the wrinkle of the nose when the opening peals of the title song poured out of the speakers. I immediately imagined myself turning it in used to my local independent record sore for a quick buck back on my investment, not taking very well to the apparent "gothic" bombast I was presented with. But listening to it the whole way through, I found a couple of songs I liked right away; the grandiose "This Moment," and the closer "Distant Eastern Glare." And as that song faded off to close the album, I began to understand what Lycia is about. Once again, some will dismiss them as "gothic", but that's not really who they are (although "they" in this case was really "he"; as Lycia at this point was actually a one-man band consisting of Mike Vanportfleet). Lycia's music is a very consistent, honest set of subtle emotional landscapes built on yearning, thoughtful, reflective music. Mike's vocals are the most unique thing about Lycia - whispered, husky, and mysterious; simple yet embodying very fully the singular blend of the harsh and the soothing - not unlike life itself - which defines Lycia's music. The vocals may well put you off the first time you hear them, but give it time, as I had to do, and it all makes sense. Lyrically there are certain key words and phrases which pop up repeatedly throughout all of Lycia's songs, enough so that it would be easy to jump on and criticize, but I think the consistency and willingness to stick with variations on a theme works really well for them (as I've mentioned in my other Lycia reviews).

Towards the beginning of the album are the most heavily thematic songs, such as the title song and the archetypal anthem "Desert", then the middle section is thick with sweeping instrumentals, almost like film themes. Then it closes with three extremely good songs that are somewhat more intimate and personal in nature; "Granada" paints a grey watercolor scene of evocative memory and association, "The Realization" is a satisfying, comforting testimony of self-knowledge and acceptance, and then the aforementioned "Distant Eastern Glare" wraps it all up very nicely.

Lycia's appeal is probably a bit esoteric and undoubtedly some people won't "get" it, and I wouldn't fault them for that, but I for one am extremely glad I stumbled across this excellent band.


.   April 17, 2000
 2 out of 4 found this review helpful

There is something charmingly odd and almost 80s-ish about some of the ambient, gloomy instrumentation here; several tracks are instrumentals, and, heavy on the gothic melodrama as they may be, there is a certain inspired charm to them and a definite accessibility. But these instrumentals aside, the album is far too infected by its singers idiotic gothic whispering to be worthwhile on the whole. You get the impression that he probably can't sing very well and had to sort of rasp and try to sound spooky to compensate for the fact. It's amusing the first couple times you listen, provided me numerous much-needed chuckles, but such charm wears thin fast. I suppose if you like spooky darkness and have no sense of aesthetic tact then it might strike an emotional chord with you; to me it just sounded incredibly dorky. This could've been a rather winning little disc, but most of the tracks melt into intolerable gothic silliness once the "singing" begins. If Lycia has released any albums on which there are no vocals, point me to it.


One of the Best Albums Ever   February 22, 2000
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

... This is one of the best cds I have ever listened to. Even though the songs tend to be of a "dreary" nature, at the same time there is still a glimpse of hope in the music, a visionary quality that goes beyond just total despair, unlike many of LYCIA's contemporaries. There is more character and fullness, more depth to this cd than most "gothic" groups can proclaim.

The first song, Ionia, does a balancing act between minor keys, hypnotic synth drum patterns and a blanket of Byzantine, stylized guitar chords. With whispered breathless vocals "As I lose control...she clings to me, she won't let go...she's tainted me, I'm nothing now, I'm so obscured, I'm conquered...and then I feel myself decline in the grip of Ionia..." There is a dreamy, sensual, yet otherworldly quality to this song which can never be equaled. I would say Ionia is worth the price of the cd alone.

Next song, A Brief Glimpse, is very moody, dark, and intense. There is no way to describe it, because it is unlike anything ever heard. The vocals are like the incessant drum patterns: "Violence is so beautiful in the blink of an eye...and change is good..."

November is a very relentless gothic masterpiece which does sound like a soundtrack, as another reviewer stated. Very beautiful, on the verge of being angelic, but not quite so. Lycia is too dark to allow for any sugarplum faerieness to imbibe their works.

Fate is driven by a blanket of exotic, melancholy guitars, a sad, but dreamy song, with a hopeful edge to it. Spellbinding.

Desert is probably one of the best songs on this album. It is just too gorgeous for words. The vocals are about someone retreating to the desert to "purify" himself of the world and its associations. Absolutely mesmerizing, along with droning guitars. The opening lines/music: "I reflect...just everything..." is a masterpiece in itself...I believe though, that this song has been slightly altered in the new cd release and is not as good as the original (perhaps I am mistaken, but the echoes are a bit more empasised on this recording).

Renewal is a good piece. A more mellow transition between Desert and This Moment.

This Moment is another dark song, more like a spell, with echoing drum patterns, thunderous effects, and bell gongs. I also believe this song has been slightly altered from the original though, and I wonder if it's just me or whether it HAS changed.

Monsoon, Monsoon II are both great instrumentals, although I listen to these less than the other songs on here. Slightly mellow, with a synth edge, it has a lighter atmosphere to it, and probably sounds a lot like Tangerine Dream, in some regards.

Granada is pure gothic splendour with a dreamy, Spanish passion. It reminds me of a decaying, ancient castle on a hillside, as its dark tenants regard the outside world with a sense of lost hope and recognition of impending doom and irreversible damage and sadness. "Oh Granada I see, from the land to the sea like a bird in the sky I stare down on your view oh Granada are you slipping away?"

The Realization is a bittersweet song with a lush melody and longing sensation: "That great white smile, takes me away..." (I believe this is what the lyrics are), very melancholy, but ending in a very self-aware mood of quiet resignation combined with a strange self-mysticism.

Distant Eastern Glare is an exotic piece with synth drum patterns and blankets of guitars once again highlighted. Mike's voice alternates between dark and light: "Cold air, distant eastern glare. . ." to the beautiful lines: "Come to me, out from the glare, you're so adored, you're so adored. . ." embellished with spooky guitars which seem to sing along with Mike's beautiful voice.


haunting, capturing the desert in song   March 27, 1999
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I am a longtime fan of Lycia and I think its high time they were recognized for the beauty they create! This album takes the stark, mysterious desert as a theme throughout most of its songs. Its wonderfully dark and dreamy. Buy it, listen to it, love it. I have never been disappointed with Lycia's work. Try Estrella and Wake as well, hope you like them!


romantic desert themes   March 11, 2000
I have every album by Lycia but "Ionia" is one of their best.Listening to it brings beautiful visions of the desert to mind.Lycia's music always has the ability to inspire my soul with its atmospheric guitar sounds and Mike Van Port Fleets haunting whisper of a voice.The song "desert" on this album is my favorite.