This is a quintessential 4AD record, from the art in the CD booklet
to the dreamy vocals and layered production. The album begins with
"Baby Fish Mouth" on which some loose cymbals congeal suddenly into
pure indie pop, while Karin Oliver weaves the lyrics into the
background where they are barely distinguishable. By contrast,
"Cornfield" is strictly minimalist, nothing but voice and cello in a
rhythm reminiscent of driving by row after row of corn on the roads of
America's midwest. The liltingly erotic "Where Knock Is Open Wide" is
a deceptively simple tune, while on "Can't Go Wrong Without You" HNIA
adds the perfect undercurrent of uneasiness to an otherwise gorgeous
melody. I should have discovered this album that summer before I
first went away to college, but I'm equally happy to have found it
now.
Even I must sever
Even Adam in the garden
I was there a dinosaur
How soft the ground and clean then air
Breathe the air and walk around
—"Baby Fish Mouth"
The sun in the heart
And I am sending light and warmth
—"Cornfield"
In the dark
Your dark eyes always
Always reflecting
—"Where Knock Is Open Wide"
Devil breaks both your hands
Takes your stuff and runs away
—"Can't Go Wrong Without You"
| 
Heidi J. De Vries
