Search - Alyson Williams :: It's About Time

3-1/2 stars -- The wrath of the alto

Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 10/23/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Alyson Williams has been around since 1989, but this is the first time that I personally have ever heard of her. Her latest album, It's About Time (aren't there too many albums out this year with that title?), was recommended to me on here, and I said, "Why not?"



There are plenty of nice smooth songs to be found on this album, like "Soft and Warm" and "Make It Through the Night". And Tony Terry shows up on two tracks to showcase his still good vocals: "A Sexy Way" and "Tomorrow". The latter is one of those otherwise annoying songs that has the man and the woman arguing over whose fault it is, but it actually works this time.



Some newcomers may think that Alyson can't sing, but she possesses a nice alto voice à la Sunshine Anderson. But sometimes Alyson DOES fail in the singing department. She has a habit of singing so hard that she goes off key, which is shown in parts of otherwise good songs like "Blessed" and "Right Through Me", as well as "No More" (but the latter is also one of those can't-take-this-ish-no-more songs, so it might make you say just that). And Alyson's background singers are the ones that fail on "Is It Good to You".



The two bonus tracks are pointless, too: the second version of "Holding Back the Years" doesn't sound much different from the original version, and "Superstar" is a sorry attempt at a club-rocker. But It's About Time is still aptly titled because it's been thirteen years since Alyson came out, yet this is only her third album. It may not be flawless, but it'll do for now.



Anthony Rupert"