From CD Baby:

Top Editor’s Pick review: 5 out of 5 Stars
author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby
Despite how cliché it might sound, from the very first bar to the very last, Everything Takes Forever mesmerizes its audience like catnip, never once letting go long enough for the listener to catch his breath. Take a little Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen but make them write dream pop, blend in Nick Drake but turn the dial towards lush atmospheric backdrops, plug in Cat Stevens-type vocal warmth and resonance then lift your eyes to a darker psych folk landscape where Peter Mulvey could slowly empty his thoughts and you’re in the right vicinity. These songs are simultaneously dark, textured, sparse and lush, liquidy and weightless. Don’t let it surprise you if the album both breaks your heart and mends it in the same listen; these songs are made from those bittersweet emotions like laughing through tears or somehow seeing the exquisite beauty of your own pain. Simply put, if you only buy one folk or rock album this month, this should be it.

Tom Hanson did it again: 5 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer: Torben Dalgaard Hansen
When I purchased Wake of the Moon I was amazed how great it was. It had been a long time since I last had heard a record that touched me so much. It was so unbelievable. Very hard to describe. On his follow up CD Everything Takes Forever Tom does it again. The whole atmosphere, Tom’s voice, the beautiful instrumentation and not least the lyrics. This is a 5 star record that really gets under your skin and I just cannot recomend this CD enough. GET IT and while you’re at it get Wake of the Moon as well. Two of the most beautiful albums ever made.

So mellow and WHAT a voice: 5 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer: Torben (Denmark)
I cannot recomend this CD enough. It’s just so unbelievable beautiful, so mellow and WHAT a voice. Toms voice sounds a little bit like Kurt Wagner, but then again not. Very unique. Tom Hanson’s music really sucks you in and you forget time and space. You just mellow out and ENJOY!

Amazing songwriting, top-notch playing, and acoustic tone to die for: 5 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer: David Berchtold
I met Tom through this CD. I knew I’d have to have it after hearing the first track. One of the things that amazes me about Wake of the Moonis the variety of moods and feelings the songs evoke. Whether he’s strumming a sleepy progression (Incancescent) or finger picking a happy melody (Easter), Tom’s songs grab me and won’t let go. And those low, breathy vocals fit the songs like they were grown together in a carefully tended garden. I listen to iTunes on shuffle. Every time a Tom Hanson song started up (until I learned them all) my reaction was always the same. “Whoah, that’s awesome! Who the **** IS THAT!?” Do yourself a favor and add this CD to your collection.

I have been listening to your tracks over and over and I can honestly say that I’m mesmerized. – Alfredo Laris

Let me just give you a very enthusiastic thumbs-up, for some of the very best music I’ve come across on the internet or anywhere. Melody, percussion, mood, voice, lyrics… they’re excellent and blend beautifully. – Andreas

I stumbled across Wake of the Moon via http://freealbums.blogsome.com and it’s a fantastic album. Thanks for selflessly releasing it for download via the internet. It’s a wonderful addition to anyone’s collection and should be in more. – Robin McCoy

First, I would like to say that I’ve been listening to “Wake of the Moon” ever since I read your post on the Nick Drake message board back in 2002 (?) and have yet to grow tired of it. Happened to wander back to your website today and found the new songs and the upcoming album news. I can’t wait! – Jason Middleton

There is so much beauty, intelligence, and heart in your songs. I’m also very impressed by the production quality. – Alan Walts

I’m floating in your music and would selfishly like more. I downloaded all the songs that I could, but I’m caught up in “glide” and “my love in blue”. Your voice is hypnotic and soothing, I have been listening to you all day, over and over. Please send me a CD !! – Eva Minor

I just listened to all your tracks and I have to say, your music is wonderful! You’re a very talented artist. – Maria Schafer

I was truly blown away from the first second I put the CD on. It’s brilliant … you have created a great original sound. There is a beautiful tenderness in the music. The mixing and the playing are fantastic. – Daniel Miau

My friend recently played me your album, and I’m absolutely crazy about it! Admittedly, we first became interested in your music because of the Nick Drake comparisons and links, but I really feel that you have your own voice, and a truly unique sound … the songs are all beautifully structured and arranged. – Joshua Cohen

Just a note to say, what a brilliant album. I read the review in “Comes With A Smile #10” and wondered if they were over doing it with the superlatives but after listening to your music I can safely say they weren’t. – Mark Lambe

I listened to your MP3s and you are incredible. I would LOVE to have a CD of yours to play for friends. I’d be more than happy to buy one from you! Please let me know!!! Thanks and keep it up!! – Kevin Hill

I must say: what a project!! Over the past week I have listened to “Wake of the Moon” 6-8 times on my portable player, in the car. It has grown on me like a (good) fungus … Now, tonight I put it into the stereo and listened with headphones, 2x. Yikes, oh man, hauntingly beautiful. – Kevin Klingberg

Your CD is outstanding! “Wake of the Moon” has quickly become one of my favorite “chill out” CDs … the orchestration is brilliant. If you listen really closely there is a lot going on in each of the songs but it is never done in a manner that sounds busy: each part adds perfectly to the mood … – Doug Malorny

I listened to the MP3s on your website, and let me just say that I am blown away. I love the quiet, understated way you sing, and how the instruments complement your vocals perfectly. – Islinda from Singapore

Just a quick note to let you know the CD has arrived. I must say it’s easily as good as the reviews have said it was. I took it to work this morning to add to my computer library & next minute half the staff were around wanting to know who it was … very, very impressive CD Tom. I’ll be spreading the word you can count on that … – Dean Allen

I downloaded your “Wake of the Moon” CD, after having been pointed to your site from a Nick Drake page. It was exactly the kind of thing I felt like listening to, and I’m still listening to it (this is about the 6th time through the CD)– it’s quite phenomenal … very reminiscent of Nick Drake, quite sure of itself, and just a brilliant, brilliant work. I want more of it!!! Thank you for keeping your work free, it’s really quite unique for this quality. – Josh Gibbs

Really liked your CD a lot, will be reviewing it in the next issue. Your work has really happily impressed me, when so much of what comes in is less than inspired, hearing work like yours is a breath of fresh air. – George Parsons, Dream Magazine

Sorry for my English, I’m Italian. I’ve downloaded your very amazing album now. Your music are very good, you remember me Nick Drake. But I’m a little bit sad. You are a very good artist and you don’t take a penny with your work. Spice Girls make a lot of money with shit. I think the world don’t go right. Good Luck.  – Enrico ‘Magic’