Curious Dreamers “Hushabye Lullabye (Music from the Original TV Series)” 

The collaboration of veteran composer and sound designer Giles Lamb with television and theatre production visionary Sacha Kyle makes Curious Dreamers a must-hear. Lamb’s deep background in film, television, and games, among other venues, supplies an unique dimension to this project.

URL: https://curiousdreamers.com/

He’s versatile enough to command modernist music movements, traditional acoustic textures, and synth-driven arrangements without ever lapsing into self-indulgence. Kyle’s experience as a theatre and television director encompasses two decades plus familiarity with drama, comedy, music, animation, and live-action genres. Curious Dreamers’ release Hushabye Lullabye (Music from the Original TV Series) features ten songs highlighting the confluence of these talents.

The above paragraph should make it obvious they bring different strengths to the table. Many underlying professional philosophies and conceptualizations fueling Sacha Kyle’s success in the entertainment and artistic world find their way into Curious Dreamers’ presentation. Giles Lamb’s unquestionable music acumen is the likely bedrock of these ten songs, and clear evidence of a conscious design leaps out for attentive listeners. “Goodnight Dreams” has the lyrics, tracklist positioning, and beguiling musical character to work well as the album opener and takes on new luster when appreciated as part of a larger whole. The deceptive artistry lurking behind Hushabye Lullabye’s appeal is an enormous piece of its success.

The bulk of the album’s emotional weight is positive, but Hushabye Lullabye keeps its tempos dreamy and in check. It doesn’t inhibit songs such as the second cut “Chumble Bumble” from checking off the needed musical boxes while tickling an eternally youthful part of ourselves. The effortless conjuring of child-like wonder throughout this release may seem overrated to jaded cynics. Those people won’t be listening to music like this. “Bathtime Ducks” is a model of its form. The patient tone it adopts with listeners, the lack of any distinction it makes about your age, and the warm inviting vocal tone make it one of the album’s more memorable moments. The vocals are definitely a highlight.

“Summer Sunshine” is a peak moment, as well. Hushabye Lullabye’s songs flow in a clear design, and many listeners will hear “Summer Sunshine”, the album’s literal midway point, as supplying Hushabye Lullabye’s first major dramatic crescendo. These are far from one-dimensional songs despite their shared common ground, and the diverse weaving of melody lines present during songs such as “Summer Sunshine” is one of the qualities about these songs that keep you coming back for more. Their aural appeal seems difficult to exhaust.

“Autumn Leaves” and “Paper Boats” pack different wallops. The first is much more in keeping with Curious Dreamers’ customary musical attack, but “Paper Boats” doesn’t go too far off the beaten track. It’s a colorful new angle and benefits from even stronger lyrics than the already fine preceding songs. “Paper Boats” has especially vivid imagery. It may take one or more passes through these songs to lower your guard enough that you appreciate their fundamentals. Maybe you’ll get it with a single listen. However, few listeners will turn away unconvinced that Curious Dreamers’ Hushabye Lullabye (Music from the Original TV Series) is a compelling musical work.

Mark Druery