One of the greatest album ever. End of story.

Review Score: (10/10)
To echo one of the reviews, I know idea what the songs are about. And it really doesn't matter. The overall mood and atmosphere they create is more important than any meaning. The songs give you an amazing sense of listening to a weary traveler, and make you nostalgic for your own past journeys. The songs kind of remind me of Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhattan" and the Horseflies "Sally Ann" in that they're apocalyptical in their subject. What are they singing about? Who knows, it isn't important.

My only complaints, and they are minor and don't justify giving this album any less than five stars, is the length, only 33 minutes. And some of the songs have orchestration that is too lush sounding, especially the title track. But they're minor complaints. Every song is fantastic, but especially "A Child's Christmas in Wales" and the last two songs: "Half Past France" and "Antarctica Starts Here," two of the greatest songs ever written.

More Reviews:

• Wanting Farmer John Cale
• Hidden in Plain View
• John Cales best album - his best blend of pop and classical.
• GENTLE POP SONGS FROM JOHN CALE...?
• Timeless and unparalleled
• The softer side of Cale
• like it was made yesterday
• singing elephants
• BUY THIS CD!
• Truly Beautiful Album!
• best of genre
• a poetry album to follow you in your life
• Cale's Best
• Brilliant,lovely walls of sound with fun,intelligent lyrics.
• His best recording, bar none.
• Music to hold in your heart forever.