Life has changed quite drastically for pop vocalist Plumb over the past three years. With the birth of her two baby boys, motherhood has become as important a part of Plumb's life as her love for moody electronic pop/rock. With Blink, the artist's fifth release since her self-titled debut a decade ago, Plumb offers a unique project of ten lullabies inspired by and written for her little ones.

Blink is by far the softest side of Plumb revealed to date and also her most uplifting release. While most of her records deal with relevant topics of pain, abandonment or just everyday life struggles, Blink is solely devoted to little Solomon and Oliver and the love that comes from her experiences with them. Musically, the album drifts along in consistently beautiful balladry from beginning to end, with a mix of signature Plumb fare ("Sweet and Lovely," "In My Arms," "Sleep," etc), glimpses of Enya (especially "God Will Take Care Of You," "Children of the Heavenly Father") and even traces of Sarah McLachlan along the way. It's a wholly sensitive and personal project thematically, as the album's first single, "In My Arms," is inspired directly by her firstborn Solomon, as she assures him, "Clouds will rage / Storms will race in / But you will be safe in my arms / Rain will pour down / Waves will crash around / But you will be safe in my arms." Among the song selection is also a revisitation from "Sleep," which originally appeared on last year's release, Chaotic Resolve. The song, which Plumb wrote while pregnant for the first time, is slowed quite a bit here and suits the lullaby treatment well. The record closes with the spellbinding, and hopelessly lulling "Solomon's Song," built around a melody the vocalist naturally hummed to her son while rocking him to sleep. Adding words to the lullaby while retaining the humming chorus, "Solomon's Song" is a wonderful kiss on forehead to the listener to wrap up the album.

For those concerned the album holds no relevance for anyone who is not a parent, have no fear. Themes of unconditional love run amuck. Classic hymn covers like "God Will Take Care Of You" and "Children of the Heavenly Father" bring a deep, blatant spirituality to the album, while most of Plumb's original offerings address her abundant love as a mother. It's a bit of a stretch to try to relate the songs to much else besides a parental love, but her perspective can often be taken as from God's to us as our Heavenly Father. Finally, the album's soothing, beautiful melodies make this such a relaxing and calming record that it's literally the perfect album to plug into if you're looking for something to help you unwind and drift off to sleep after a long day. There isn't a moment that breaks from the gentleness of the music, and it plays as a definite strength for the album.

Blink is the ideal alternative pop album (complete with electronic seasoning) for any parent looking for an album suited just for them. The abundant love Plumb feels as a mother overflows on this record, making it one of the most soothing projects to grace the ears in recent memory. Always emotional, never sappy, always relevant, and - dare I say it - still quite "cool" for a Plumb album, the singer delivers a well-balanced and very real look at how full a parent's heart can feel with the love for their children on Blink.

- Review date: 10/7/07, written by John DiBiase of Jesusfreakhideout.com