This is one of the all time great rock albums. Lanois has created his own niche that will inevitably not be filled by others. It is too personal and distinctive the combination of its strong imagery and totally controlled (but sometimes wild) sound. The imagery in Rocky World can proudly stand next to that of any song."Jenny has religion, she sinks in her chair / She's made a decision to color her hair / the black man cut the sugar cane / she watches the rain / in a building away from the rocky world." Unbelievable. Lanois' other album, Acadie, is the natural precursor to this one.