The latest CD from Neither/Neither World sees singer/songwriter Wendy Van Dusen at her most accessible, couching her themes of corruption in deceptively pretty folk-infused pop songs. "Ghosts Whisper" is as haunting as its title suggests, a sparse and lovely composition of finger-picked guitars and bittersweet pianos, while the moody twangs of "Buried And Gone" and the breezy strums of "Promise" hint at country influences. Title track "Invisible Angel" is a classic Van Dusen tale of innocence lost, this time set to acoustic chords and church organs, and "I Fall Away" is at once sugary and bitter, highlighting the singer's ability to express humanity's darkest reveries in the voice of a coquette. More than on previous records, though, the instrumentation, rather than the voice, take center stage, as exemplified by the instrumental "Shadow Of The Wings," a subtle arrangement of strummed acoustics, blurry electrics, and washes of keyboard atmosphere. It's perhaps the first of Van Dusen's instrumental compositions to achieve the same level of emotional impact provoked by her more lyrical pieces, and highlights her growth as a songwriter. Previous releases established Van Dusen as a singer and performer of unique intensity, but Invisible Angel showcases an artist in complete command of the creative process from start to finish. With additional production help from Lemon DeGeorge, who is perhaps the spookiest harmonica player in all of independent music, Van Dusen has put together the most solid record yet in an already distinguished -- if criminally overlooked -- musical career. Hopefully this album and the new Neither/Neither World retrospective (also released on new Swiss folk label Shayo) will garner more of the attention that this band so richly deserves.

Visit www.zoskiasounds.com and www.shayo.ch for more information on this album.