LACUNA COIL's debut is made of remarkably good songs. In fact, In A Reverie contains the strongest songs of LACUNA COIL's career. And it's the band's most entertaining release. My Wings remains one of their most energetic creations, and bests everything from their later release by a long shot. Cristina’s sense of melody is an outstanding aspect of the band on tracks like this and Veins Of Glass with its memorable chorus. The opening pair provide the best advert for gothic metal that I've come across. Neither are puny in their heaviness or ambition : Circle is riff-centred and driving and milks its great chorus line for all that it's worth, while Stately Lover is slower and romantic, with nice guitar melodies throughout the song and a lot of storytelling power that shows off the male/female vocals in their best light. This track has prog rock leanings thanks to its swinging and constantly evolving time signatures. To Myself I Turned is a goth ballad in the truest sense of the word with a ‘doom-y' chord progression during the chorus and a general melancholy aesthetic. Another number, Cold, sports a pretty tasteful little guitar solo, and it surprises me that more weren’t sprinkled here and there throughout the album. Finally, Falling Again is a revamped and improved version of their debut EP's Falling thanks to added guitars and percussion. In A Reverie comes across as the best album from LACUNA COIL, with good songwriting, pleasant melodies, and dominant vocal storytelling.