Reviewed by Carl Grimsditch

In one of the quirks of record-licensing fate this fine album by the new American singer has failed to get a UK release despite the fact that Lanae's earlier EP has received extensive airplay with an arresting vocal style which displays slight traces of Alanis Morissette and an extra- ordinary yodel like inflection which is uniquely her own, Lanae' is one of the freshest talents to emerge on the Nashville scene for years. Every track is an energetic, pulsing masterpiece, well produced with passionate lyrics. This singer/songwriter hailing from Gainsville, Florida having made the move to Nashville has drawn on her life experiences to enrich this, her first full length album. The record has an obvious split with the first four tracks conveying the beauty and majesty of the world with "Let's Grow Old Together" and "It's Over" acting as a buffer dividing the album. The final five tracks demonstrate some of the struggles we face, possibly drawing on the experiences Lanae herself has encountered. The title track is a good example of the imagery apparent in these songs, saying "Feel the rain falling on my shoulders/I lift my head and don't let go/Feel the tide getting high as I get older/I lift my head and don't let go.", it's hard not to imagine the scenes being described as you are listening. "Let's Grow Old Together" is a beautiful love song, it has a different dynamic to the other songs and a wonderful sentiment saying "Let's grow old together/with my heart in your hands and your hands holding mine". "Here's To The Girls" describes the pain that people just cover up and pretend isn't there. The other songs in this section deal with similar issues of heartbreak and sadness very sensitively and effectively.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.