I found myself in outer space amidst the greatest war of all time. I saw a glimpse of this glorious battle and its warriors of men, unicorns, chimpanzees in spacesuits, fairies, a Cyclops, and horsemen whom defied physics and were hell-bent on a magnificent
victory over the universe. I then saw to my amazement, an exceptional looking group of men in white suits seemingly bending the space time continuum by composing the very opus that proved to be the harmonious backdrop to this intergalactic encounter. The melody fortified its soldiers and if the music slowed its tempo, so too did the fight. Likewise, when the music roared, so did the troops.

As I listened more intently, I began to recognize the lush compositions as if I had heard them at another time. I found comfort in the blossoming sounds of "Apocalypso" and "Special" and was consoled by the all too familiar voice of one J Mascis on the throbbing "Why Are You Looking Grave?" I felt caught amid this all encompasing sound - resonating through my spirit. I was overwhelmed by the mystification surrounding this conflict of the cosmos when unexpectedly everything drew to a halt with the climax of "The Zookeeper's Boy." It was complete. Soldiers and creatures of all kinds rejoiced, kings and queens of galaxies were lifted in adoration and all felt reverence for the men in white suits, which were now identified as Mew.

Mew is a unique band in the sense that through a multiplicity of sounds, each listener can find a favored comparison that resonates with their own preferences. While that range can't be easily pinpointed, the influences vary from Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, Dinosaur Jr, Smashing Pumpkins, Sunny Day Real Estate (ca. The Rising Tide) M83, Mercury Rev, to Sigur Ros.

Surprisingly, And the Glass Handed Kites is Mew's fourth album. 1997's A Triumph for Man and 2000's Half the World Is Watching Me saw limited release just before being picked up by Sony for an international deal. They re-recorded their best work at that point and released the admired Frengers in 2003. The U.K. was lucky enough to be issued Kites in late 2005, with its appearance on U.S. soil a year later.

The Glass Handed Kites proves to be the paramount soundtrack to any nightmare. It's lost in its own comprehensive pop operatic, full of shimmering atmospherics that are intricately woven with life and mortality. It holds an insistent splendor of song and an indescribable sense of well being for us mere mortals.