This philosophical follow-up to
Duncan Sheik
's 1996 star-making debut sprawls across similarly introspective terrain, yet veers more toward the pragmatic than the romantic. Musically,
Humming
has a more profound and resonant base, complemented by accentuated drums and various string elements.
Orchestral
pianos and flutes sweep throughout, especially on
the London Session Orchestra
-backed
"Varying Degrees of Con-Artistry,"
while
Sheik
admonishes himself for buying into his own fame on the self-deprecating
"Bite Your Tongue"
and on the self-immolating
"Nothing Special."
Ultimately, it's the symphonic strength of conductor
Simon Hale
's arrangements and
's own hauntingly moody expressions that lift this fine record to its sonic realization. ~ Roxanne Blanford