Everyone knows Daniel Lanois as a producer extraordinaire, a studio boffin who's worked with such A-list clients as U2 and Bob Dylan. Far fewer people, however, know the reclusive Canadian as a solo artist in his own right - understandably so, perhaps, given that it's been ten years since his last album. It would be nice to report that Shine is worth the wait - but sadly it turns out to be a bit of a letdown, a lacklustre effort that feels like an overextended studio experiment rather than anything with red blood in its veins. Recorded in a variety of locations including Dublin and Mexico, it features a diverse range of styles from reggae to ambient soul, each more half-hearted than the next. The truth is, while Lanois may be superb at creating mood and atmosphere, he's not nearly so good at projecting his own personality. Perhaps he recognises this himself, since the album's few redeeming moments come courtesy of guest vocalists such as Bono and Emmylou Harris. Shine is by no means a disaster: it's polished, tasteful and passes the time pleasantly. It's just that when it's over, there's no compelling reason to listen to it again.
