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Lost/Forgotten Album #236
The 236th L/F album post continues featuring the same theme that started five weeks ago with the 2002 release from Lana Lane, "Project Shangri-La".Those that are familiar with Ayreon might recognize her from the "Universal Migrator" series or you just might know her from one of the many other albums she's released. Maybe you're not familiar with her at all. Until now. Here's a little bio from allmusic.com:"Born in Concord, CA, Lana Lane is both a solo artist and a guest on projects by quite a few other musicians. She works closely with husband Erik Norlander on many of his projects. Lane's main instrument is her remarkable voice, but she also plays guitar. Aside from her solo work and work on Norlander's album, she has appeared on albums by such artists as Ambeon, Ayreon, and Rocket Scientists (Norlander's band). She first began her solo career in 1995 with Love Is an Illusion. The following year she released its successor, Curious Goods. 1998 would prove to be the next year that the world would see releases from Lana Lane, and it would be a virtual avalanche of music. The discs that came from her that year were Garden of the Moon, Echoes From the Garden (which was an EP of material from Garden of the Moon), Live in Japan, Ballad Collection (a compilation), and a remixed version of Love Is an Illusion (including three songs not on the original release). The following year saw two new releases: Queen of the Ocean, and, in keeping with the pattern begun by Echoes From the Garden, Echoes From the Ocean (an EP culled from Queen of the Ocean). The compilation The Best of Lana Lane was released in 1999. Several releases came in 2000. The first was Secrets of Astrology. The other two albums for that year were both compilations. The first was Ballad Collection II. The other was Ballad Collection Special Edition (a two-CD set including both ballad collection albums in one set). 2001 saw another Love Is Illusion reissue, this time a special edition. Project Shangri-La, was released by Lane early in 2002."And here's a review from allmusic.com:"Lane writes in her notes that she and husband Erik Norlander were just beginning to work on this album when the tragedy of September 11th, 2001 occurred. She writes of the difficulties involved with beginning work in the midst of all that. In fact, the album is dedicated to "The Memory Of All We Lost On September 11, 2001". The disc they have produced here seems not to have suffered from the difficult times surrounding its conception. In fact, it seems to do a great job of both continuing her musical legacy, that of a considerably accessible progressive rock style that leans towards prog metal at times. It really does feel like one of the best of her career and includes some stunning moments. The early parts of the album lack a little, but as it carries on, it finds a sound that is more compelling and inspired than we have heard from her before. Lane's voice is stunning as always, and this is arguably her best work."And that's that.Project Shangri-La1. Redemption Part I 2. Project Shangri-La 3. Encore 4. Before You Go 5. The Nightingale 6. The Beast From Within You 7. Tears Of Babylon 8. Ebbtide 9. (Life Is) Only A Dream 10. Time To Say Goodbye 11. Redemption Part IIAvailability: Around $7 used/$8 new.See More