Search - Alison Moyet :: Hometime

Theatrical!

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 06/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before this CD, the only other album of Alison Moyet that I owned was her 1984 debut "Alf" which contained the brilliant ballad "All cried out".



I only came across this CD recently despite it having being released in 2002. Apparently her former label Sony didn't want it released as they feared for its commercial viability, so she released it on her own label.



Produced by The Insects (very cool name :-)) who have worked with Massive Attack, what we get are epic, cinematic ballads, Trip Hop, and even Dub with almost poetic lyrics. Opening cut "Yesterday's flame" is a brooding ballad which sounds like something you've heard before, only it's a new Moyet co-composition. The title track "Hometime" (with double bass, and an instrument labelled "weird bass"), and "Say it" are Trip hop; swirling dramatic strings and electronic flourishes. Both are brilliant.



My favourite song is "Ski" which is electro Dub (if there's any such thing). I just love the deep bassline and beats. "Do you ever wonder" is a beautiful Pop ballad, the most commercial sounding in my opinion.



"If you don't come back to me" is a lush cinematic ballad with echoing effects, while the haunting "You don't have to go" has a quivering riff, and builds to a powerful vocal climax.



So, was Sony right in rejecting the album? Alison Moyet became the 5th best selling female act in the UK in 2002. Sales aside, this album is a real gem."