Lanae' Hale EP
Artist: Lanae Hale
Label: Centricity Records
Length: 6 tracks/22:38 minutes 

Lanae' (pronounced Lah-nay) Hale's debut is a pleasing combination of thoughtful lyrics and artful pop reminiscent of Sixpence None the Richer. She's only 24, but her songwriting shows a great deal of maturity. Her songs deal with practical issues like the need for hope, the desire for lasting relationships, and connecting with God. What makes this interesting is Hale's personal take on love lost and found and the challenges of living out one's faith in the world. 

Her voice ranges from sweetly sung sentiments to passionate pleas. You get the best of both on "Stay," a blues-infused song where the intensity builds on the chorus but towards the end becomes a beautiful whispered-plea. 

A simple but infectious guitar hook on "Alive Again" colors the rhythm as it does on other songs. Her sound is somewhat sparse with an organic feel, and the tempos vary. Though similar in style to Sixpence, Hale deserves credit for not sounding like everyone else.

This is a well-produced effort that is more than just the usual fare.

Michael Dalton
March 6, 2008
 

 

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The easy listening fare on this EP is common enough, except for Hale's stand-out vocals, which are so improvisational, ambitious, and unexpected that she is the clear subject, the rest of the sounds being just a texture over which to paint. Some comparisons will undoubtedly made to Fleming McWilliams (Fleming and John) in style or to an alto version of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) in sound. But listeners are sure to find her style unique and most welcome in an age of cookie-cutter American Idol types. 

Dan Singleton 
March 17, 2008