Listening to Fan Modine’s new album Gratitude For The Shipper is like floating through a dreamlike landscape of sound. Lush lyrics intertwine with melodies made by trombones, keyboards and euphoniums. Gordon Zacharias’s distinct voice sings of light and stars and love, making the record uplifting and completely enjoyable to hear.

Take the title track, for instance.  “Gratitude For The Shipper” skips along playfully, with Zacharias’s voice blending beautifully with a female backing vocalist, bringing to mind sunny days. Then the tempo speeds up, and then slows down again. It’s an interesting song structure that really works well. It’s my favorite track on the album.

I also liked “Meet Me At The End Of The Line,” with its cheery lyrics about wrapping up sandwiches to take to the beach. But the end of the line “might be cold and rainy,” Zacharias sings. He wants you to meet him there anyway. I kind of want to.

“I’m Seeing A Star” is dreamy and sweet, with more tenderness in Zacharias’s voice than on other tracks. He rhymes ‘wrecker’ and ‘records’ somewhere in there, too. I love the creative lyric writing in this album!

“Cups In Canarsie” brings more indie pop goodness to the table, with a lovely horn solo mid-track. “The Dream And The Dreamer” delights as well, with its bluesy sound and female vocals.

All in all, Gratitude For The Shipper is a great orchestral pop album with a cozy darkness. Kind of like curling up with a blanket and hot tea when it’s stormy outside.

You can get Fan Modine’s album here. You can see them next at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC on May 28^th. You can also download “Julu Road” and “Through The Valley,” two more excellent tracks from the album, for free here!