Back & Forth
Artist: Lanae’ Hale
Label: Centricity Records
Length: 11 tracks/39:03 minutes
 

It may seem a contradiction but Lanae’ Hale used to cut herself to ease the pain. A bad breakup of a serious relationship left her looking for a way to numb her feelings. She sought escape in many things, but so often it was her hidden knives that brought immediate relief. 
 
Hale is now happily married and Back & Forth chronicles the “before and after” in her life. Her painful experiences bring depth to her songwriting, whether she’s singing about her desire to be closer to God, or the complexity of relationships.

Back & Forth is the full-length follow-up to her self-titled 2007 EP. The title song, with it’s use of a recorder, starts off sounding a little like “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Guitars that hint of grunge rock put weight behind the chorus. It’s indicative of the variety and the occasional music heft that you find on this release.
 
Just when I think I’ve heard all of the best “day” songs, along comes “Beautiful Things,” which has guitars that add just the right fullness. Here she is earnest and energetic in a way that is similar to Amy Grant.
 
If you didn’t know better, you might think “If I’m Broken” was a Nichole Nordeman song. The words and music could have easily come from her pen. 
 
I hear shades of Sixpence None the Richer in some of the music, which in addition to pop/rock incorporates singer/songwriter folk. 
 
Perhaps the two most remarkable tracks come at the end. “Headed Home” is about a guy who had a chance with a woman but now it’s too late. She’s moved on to someone who will love her as she deserves. It would be hard for me to think of a more poignant relationship song.
 
“Don’t Cry” has a lighter feel, but it’s also honest about the painful realities of life. Songs like these two make me wish she would skip the crunchy guitar choruses to focus more on mining the wealth of her emotional experiences. 
 
This CD is richly layered lyrically and musically. The woven strands help tell the story of her life.
 
Look for two bonus acoustic songs that were listed but not included on my CD.  
 
Michael Dalton
May 12, 2009