Haley Bonar's new album Impossible Dream isn't a traditional album by any means. She doesn't claim that any of the songs on here are designed to tell a story. The tracks here are bourne of her own memories and while, to her, some of the songs are about growing up in the Black Hills. Some of the songs are about her parents. Some of the songs are about homosexuality. Some of the songs are about loss of youth, teenage parenthood, the lines of social disorder for women, or the terror of jealousy and suspicion. Once they are released into the world, she claims that they do not belong to her anymore. The interpretation is all yours, therefore these stories are yours.

This is true for every song in the history of music that was ever released and every song still to be released. What makes every song special and dear to its fans is how they connect to it; was personal aspects they identify with. It's refreshing to finally hear an artist realise this instead of claiming some sort of ownership on the way a song should be interpreted.

Of the 10 songs (32 min, 04 sec) on this album there is much to connect with. The opener, 'Hometown' is instantly memorable and paves the way for the '90s-esque indie fest to come. There's a little rock, a little goth, but mostly this is an indie album with much going for it.

8

Nick Smithson