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I have a real pet hate, a real bug bear when reviews start with the sentence "I have heard a lot about... but this is the first time I have had the opportunity to hear their music". Probably on many occasions I have started my reviews this way, and I'm going to have to start this review the same way as it is all true. But I'm annoyed I can't think of a more interesting way to start the review. I have to say that this is the first time I have heard Hannah Franklin, so I decided to do...
Read More I have a real pet hate, a real bug bear when reviews start with the sentence "I have heard a lot about... but this is the first time I have had the opportunity to hear their music". Probably on many occasions I have started my reviews this way, and I'm going to have to start this review the same way as it is all true. But I'm annoyed I can't think of a more interesting way to start the review. I have to say that this is the first time I have heard Hannah Franklin, so I decided to do a bit of research on her and the internet is amazing for finding out facts about an artist in such a short space of time. Firstly, Hannah has wowed audiences across the UK as the lead in the hit musical Luv Esther and in the summer of 2009 she also spoke at Grapevine Festival and took her dance group to Faith Camp (Kingdom Faith). But the main question is, what will the album sound like?
Title track You Are The Song is very poppy and in my opinion not the best start to the album, thankfully it gets much better and much more contemporary with If Only, and takes all my fears away from what I thought the album would sound like all the way through. The other big feeling you have from the album is how much some of the songs sound like they wouldn't be amiss in an Andrew Lloyd Webber West End Musical; this coming through very much in tracks His Love and Alabaster Box. Both great songs with powerful vocals and showing off the great vocal range Hannah has.
I am Blessed is another great pop song, pure pop, but not that cheesy pop. I promise not to use the word pop in another part of this review. This album has some great modern pop songs (oops sorry) and wonderful ballads. Another mainstream sounding track has to be Deeper & Deeper yet the main difference is the worship lyrics. Lyrically the album talks about Jesus and how great He is, and you can't really ask for a better topic to sing about.
You Are The Song is a superb pop album, perfect if you're a young teen, it's more aimed towards young women than the younger men. I'm sure if you have a child who is into songs by Taylor Swift, then this could be the ideal album for them to enjoy. As I have mention before, a large majority of the tracks sound like they're from a west end musical, some have a dramatic experience, yet some have a soft beautiful ballad sense. The album is full of astonishingly touching songs sung magnificently with the soft yet powerful voice of Hannah Franklin. Would I personally buy this album? Probably not as this isn't my cup of tea, yet I'm also glad I have had the opportunity to discover a wonderful talent in Hannah Franklin. Even though I wouldn't purchase the album, I can still appreciate that this is a great album that so many people will love. If you like good old music that isn't cheesy then this album might be for you.
Review by Jono Davies
LTTM Rating 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
If Only
Alabaster Box
I Am Blessed
