Odawas' sophomore album, Raven and the White Night, has been on heavy rotation in my CD player since I received my promo copy in the mail a couple of weeks ago. The band's stark, introspective, lunar-orbit ambient rock has a way of slow burning its way from the periphery of your senses to a rousing climax that demands your full attention. It's the kind of record that requires earphones and some time alone with to truly appreciate the transitions taking place. Perhaps no song better exemplifies this than first single "Alleluia."

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