VIENNA TENG

Inland Territory

2009-05-11

The singer/songwriter with the Stanford computer science degree is back with another set of piano-driven narratives, many of them decorated with lush string accompaniment and choral arrangements. In this set, she uses references to seasons, times and places to express her songs of emotions and relationships (her "inland territory"), mostly to impressive effect. Check out the wintry opener ("The Last Snowfall"), the "armistice" images ("Antebellum"), the time-jumping lovers ("In Another Life"), the Berlin Wall ("St. Stephen's Cross") and even a call to St. Augustine ("Augustine"). Here's an artist who uses history, philosophy and theology to full effect -- and creates gorgeous melodies and moods in the process. Note the contributions of Kaki King, too.