Let your imagination run wild with this quirky, fun album ‘Cross Words’ from Heather Reid.
The debut solo album from one half of The Murmurs, artist Heather Reid demonstrates a strong connection to her alt rock roots with a splash on the lighter side of musical theatre. Starting strong with “Be Mine Tonight” the listener is instantly thrown into a sophisticated track with a pop sensibility and catchy little chorus.
“Ivy” is the second track and a single from the album. This is a track that, you as a listener will either love or not.
For this reviewer it was the latter, which is not to say I didn’t get the clever aspects of the piece. The cuteness of the chorus is outweighed in this instance by a harsh minor and a-tonal vocal line. It’s a disappointing point in an album that is otherwise fun and extremely endearing.
Contrasted with the above, the touchstones of the album are “Fading Away”, “Say What You Mean” and “Can’t Be Stopped”. All of these songs have a distinct flavour and inspire a level of creativity from its listener. In particular these tracks had the ability to transfer me into my imagination, where I began to wonder where they could fit as perfect title tracks to some new Rom-Com or sitcom.
Equally “Paris Moon” should be destined for a Woody Allen film sometime soon. Each song has the ability to invoke your imagination and almost kick start it back to life! Perhaps this has come from Reid’s experience in writing for musical theatre, where the album clearly garners influence – think Sondheim, not Andrew Lloyd Webber!
“Broken Hearted Season” is great pop and it highlights Reid’s quirky and compelling voice and individual sound – her voice compels you to listen. Check Cross Words out for yourself and discover it in all its quirkiness.