Louder Than The Music

Esther Alexander - The Long Way Home

Artist:

Esther Alexander

Title:

The Long Way Home

Type:

Album

Released:

06 Jul 2009

LTTM Rating:

Your Rating:

Review

I have been released from the confines of kiddie music; which in some ways is rather daunting and there is the need for me to be all grown up and serious, Dave offered this review to me with the comment of "I think you'll like it." He was wrong - I love it!

This album is the perfect combination of tunes that you find yourself singing and dancing to during the week and thinking "where did I get that song from?" to haunting melodies. Without meaning to discredit the album at all, but it is the perfect dinner party...
Read More I have been released from the confines of kiddie music; which in some ways is rather daunting and there is the need for me to be all grown up and serious, Dave offered this review to me with the comment of "I think you'll like it." He was wrong - I love it!

This album is the perfect combination of tunes that you find yourself singing and dancing to during the week and thinking "where did I get that song from?" to haunting melodies. Without meaning to discredit the album at all, but it is the perfect dinner party music; you can almost imagine the candle light and taste the wine as you imagine the music flooding your house whilst chatting with friends and loved ones. It is very easy to see how Esther Alexander has become Caffe Nero's artist of the month.

The acclaim that she has already received for 'The Long Way Home', is much deserved and if just listening to the song doesn't grab you and ring certain home truths to your heart then just going back over the lyrics will definitely give you that sinking feeling as you identify with the "could, would, can't, wont's" of the world, "to the orphans of Aids who I ignored... to the girl next door who I thought, 'she's fat'... there's a list as long as my life" This could have been a dark depressive song highlighting the faults in all of us however the beautiful melody of the song prevents one from remaining in the gloom and leads us beautifully along with Esther to the conclusion that we can all make amends.

It is impossible not to be impressed by the stunning version of Sting's 'Fragile' that is beautifully executed with Tim Hughes, although at times he does have the tendency to drown out the soft tones of Alexander. If the web is to believed Sting has even given his seal of approval to it (allinlondon.co.uk).

It is quite tricky to attempt to pigeon hole Esther Alexander as her sound is quite versatile, some songs have the tones of Cathy Burton / Katie Melua / Norah Jones and then I suddenly seem to be comparing her to the twang of Mel C, although normally this might appear to be a dig, but in this instance it isn't, it is more the happy go lucky style, rather than the twang. The lyrics are beautiful, the voice humble and I am seriously impressed, this is the real deal and a package that you can imagine topping the charts one day - soon.

Review by Melissa Wood

LTTM Rating 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Standout Tracks
Safety Net
Fragile
Long Way Home

The album 'The Long Way Home' is available from EstherAlexander.com or on iTunes

Articles

News

Esther Alexander Releases The Long Way Home

Esther Alexander's new album 'The Long Way Home' has now been released. You can buy the CD by going to estheralexander.com or at any of her gigs over the next few weeks. It will also be available from iTunes and Amazon in the…

Get 'The Long Way Home'

Track Listing

Esther Alexander - The Long Way Home

Review

Articles

Esther Alexander Releases The Long Way Home