Like most of their albums, Cowboy Junkies' latest work 'Open' is not "accessible" in that fluffy, bright, shiny Pop Music way. This CD is as dark, brooding, atmospheric and dense as anything they've put out previously and, as such, it isn't maybe immediately going to knock you over. Only...

I keep playing and playing it. The songs here meld together to make something bigger than the whole and, while the style (at least in the opening half of the albus) is different than some of their previous work, I find myself drawn irresistably into the music. As with other CJ works, you get deeper than average lyrics (with actual words in them); complex musicianship; and the rich, haunted voice of Margo Timmins. On first listen you might not "get it", but the songs just stick with you, especially the fine Draggin Hooks.

As the CD progresses, you'll get more and more of the trademark "CJ" sound, starting most notably in "Bread and Wine", with the minor-key guitar licks familiar since at least 'Pale Sun, Crescent Moon' was a fixture in my CD player, but throughout there is something going on to keep you interested and hooked. Their music will never be mainstream, which is fine with me, but I find that I really like and admire the front half to two-thirds of this effort.

If you don't like challenging music, then the persistent "house band for the Prozac Nation" mood might make you hate this CD. But if you do or can overcome the first reaction and give it a chance you'll probably become a CJ's junkie like me.