A Dream in Sound
Elf Power · 1999
40 min · 14 tracks · indie rock
A whimsical blend of lo-fi indie melodies and surreal storytelling captured in vibrant, dream-like soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Will My Feet Still Carry Me Home — This opening track sets the tone with its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, establishing a thematic exploration of longing and self-reflection that pervades the album.
-
→
Jane — With its engaging narrative and melodic hooks, this track exemplifies the band's signature blend of whimsy and melancholy, showcasing their lyrical prowess.
-
→
We Dream in Sound — The title track encapsulates the album's ethereal nature, merging dreamy instrumentation with evocative lyrics that speak to the imagination and creativity inherent in dreaming.
-
→
Olde Tyme Waves — This song features a nostalgic feel and intricate arrangements, blending elements of folk and rock while reflecting on memories and the passage of time.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases inventive songwriting and a unique sound but lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered instrumentation, with guitars, keyboards, and strings weaving in and out of the mix.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and unexpected key shifts.
- Lyrically, the songs often employ surreal imagery and whimsical themes, creating a dream-like narrative throughout the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo dreamlike flow
- whimsical storytelling for escapism
- for reflective afternoons
- gentle soundscapes for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- seek immediate musical payoff
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1999, A Dream in Sound is Elf Power's fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, When the Sun Hits. At this point, they were solidifying their place within the Elephant 6 collective, embracing a more experimental sound while building on their established indie rock foundation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Neutral Milk Hotel· The Olivia Tremor Control· The Decemberists
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Will My Feet Still Carry Me Home 3:14
- 2 High Atop the Silver Branches 2:54
- 3 Willowy Man 2:52
- 4 Olde Tyme Waves 3:25
- 5 Jane 4:24
- 6 All the Passengers 2:09
- 7 We Dream in Sound 3:57
- 8 Carnival 0:55
- 9 The Well 3:27
- 10 Noble Experminent 2:20
- 11 Simon (The Bird With the Candy Bar Head) 2:55
- 12 Rising and Falling in a Little World 3:32
- 13 O What a Beautiful Dream 2:24
- 14 [unknown] 2:22
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.