Three words: The Innocence Mission.
The Innocence Mission is Karen and Don Peris and Mike Bitts. Karen is the vocalist, and her voice is like something out of a dream. It's lovely and broken and hopeful. Their musical style is a delicate and simple folk.
I picked up their newest, We Walked in Song, after falling in love with Sufjan's live cover of "The Lakes of Canada" (though that isn't on their newest album). We Walked is amazing with songs like "The Brotherhood of Man" and "Into Brooklyn, Early in the Morning." (Paste and Pitchfork Reviews)
From "Colors of the World"...
Blue could be a winter coat
or the sea, Lake Maureen, a window
or a downpour on my street.
This bit of yellow could be a leaf
or a beam of light, a girl in a taxi.And I think of you in the colors of the world.
And I did meet you in the brotherhood of man
when I was traveling a long way from my home
and you are a friend of mine.Black is the piano you play at school in the lobby,
looking out at the gray and orange,
green grass on your feet.And I think of you in the colors of the world.
And I did meet you in the brotherhood of man
when I was traveling a long way from my home
and you are a friend of mine.
My second purchase was Now the Day is Over. This is an album of lullabies, highlighted by several notable and beloved songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "Edelweiss." Lovely stuff handled gently, with a continued sense of fragility and gentleness. Hard to believe these songs, which I would never look for on CD, are done this well. (Paste Review)
The third album I found was Birds of My Neighborhood, which is very new to me and just starting to get time in my rotation. It contains "The Lakes of Canada," which is a beautiful song. Through a listen or two, it's just as wonderful as the others. (Pitchfork Review)
Go over to The Innocence Mission's MySpace to hear more.