Over the years Luka Bloom has mastered an atmospheric, melancholic and timeless sense of melody and history. His Irish roots can be heard but are never overtly pronounced. His literate tales never take the back seat to the strong melodies necessary for compelling songwriting. Stories hide behind the songs, but their main impact can be heard in their hypnotic melodic lure. 2009’s Eleven Songs is no exception. A somber, slow dance such as “I Hear Her, Like Lorelei” swoons with an aching string section and piano notes that drip like rainwater from an old roof while Bloom comes in to settle the notes in sweet comfort. The additional percussion firing behind “I Love the World I’m In” adds just the right energetic touch, never overpowering Bloom’s vocals and gentle instrumentation. “Sunday” sounds as if Bloom has camped at the end of a lonely hallway with his acoustic guitar supporting his casual croon and the band softly following behind. And there is always hope in these tales as “Don’t Be Afraid of the Light That Shines Within You” seeks to inspire while a backing choir turns the song into a bit of an anthem.