Moonchild [CD]

I guess I must be one of those people who doesn't quite "get it". I bought this album largely on the basis of the song "Wherever You Will Go", which is probably one of my all time favourite songs. The trouble is, this song stands out as a bright shining star in an otherwise rather cloudy sky. The majority of other tracks seem to drift around rather aimlessly struggling to find their thin thread of melody. And if you sense to listen to the lyrics, many are just utter nonsense. What is she trying to say? As a voice, Charlene is immensely gifted; she has a lovely, soft, effortless, lazy, folky and sometimes whispy sound that can twist notes on a sixpence. I just wish more songs were as silky smooth and evocative as the one that has catapulted her into public consciuosness. But by and large the other songs are a tad disappointing, particularly of you're after a "Wherever You Will Go" experience. Other reviewers seem to have grown to like the album and I will also admit that after quite a few listens you do start to tease out melody in the other songs, but never quite enough to properly satisfy.

I did start by giving this album a rating of two stars in response to first few listens, but I've decided that's a bit unfair and now raised it to a three.

Overall I fear this cliquey, "can't be bothered to get out of bed" sound is unlikely to appeal to a sufficiently large majority for Charlene to achieve one-album megastar status. It's perhaps a little ironic that the song most people like is not one of Charlene's own creation and not one in which she is playing guitar, but I think she should take the feedback not as an insult to her own creativity but that somehow if she could combine the silkiness and gorgeous melody of "Wherever..." better into her own style then I think she'd have a lot more people taking interest.

I do wish her every success and hope there will be more albums to come.

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, the 4 came the more I listened. Some of the tracks are overproduced, when a more acoustic production would be preferable, and give the compositions more heart. However, Charlene Soraia does have a beautiful, sweet and melodic voice...quite unique...it could do with a bit more substance at times. You get 13 tracks so I guess some will be preferable to others. Most tracks grew on me after a few listens.

1. WHEN WE WERE FIVE - I cannot listen to this track because it has such a high pitched tone that it hurt my ears! Not a good start to the album
2. DAFFODILS - Loved the song, not sure about parts of the production - the acoustic parts are best
3. LIGHTYEARS - Catchy.
4. ROWING - A sweet track - I like this one
5. MEADOW CHILD - a bit of a bluesy number, I liked the melody but again I'm not sure the drum and guitar add a lot. The basic chords of the guitar don't add much for me. Growing on me...
6.'TWAS LOVELY - "I left two stars in your tree, to ensure that you thnik of me" short and atmospheric, I like the guitar on this one!
7.BIPOLAR - I'm a bit up and down with this one...I'm not sure about the production, sounds like a drum and base machine in the background...bit monotonous....! However, it's more catchy on a few listens. Keep the baby, ged rid of the man and get some help, Charlene!
8.POSTCARDS FROM IO - liked this after a few listens
9.BIKE - I like the guitar on this one - soulful and funky
10.MIDSUMMER MOON IN JUNE - Lovely track - Shades of light and dark
11.WISHING (YOU) WELL - This track has a fairground feel...great
12.ALMOST STOLE A BOOK - Lovely
13.WHEREVER YOU WILL GO - Bitter-sweet famous track from Twinings tv ad, which intorduced me to her. This track is also on the recently released 'NOW 80'.

Charlene Soraia. Over a month ago I had no idea who this person was. That is until I stumbled across her fantastic cover of 'Wherever You Will Go' by The Calling and I instantly loved it.
I pre-ordered her album on the Saturday before its release and Oh My! I was excited. It came on Tuesday after a pretty boring day at school. I instantly started listening to it and felt all the stress and rubbish leave me.
When We Were Five was a beautiful, simple song. Her vocal range is really expressed here and it is a rare talent to be able to pull off a whistle note.
Daffodils had a lovely guitar piece to it, but it wasn't my favorite song as her voice wasn't used with as much emotion.
Lightyears had a great sound to it; I adored the drums accompanying it.
Rowing re-did the whole dispute over Charlene's pronunciation of 'could' and 'would'; honestly I love the way she says it and the song was very simple and perfected.
Meadow Child; oh I adored this song! The guitar pull on's and pull off's were great and the drums went very well with the song!
Twas Lovely had beautiful harmonics and sounded in a way eerie? Very flowing song and the piano sounded somewhat clouded and that made it sound great!
Bipolar was simply brilliant!! I wasn't quite sure of the title though, but the instruments shaped the song and Charlene's lyrics and voice were fantabulous!!
Postcards from Io really showed Charlene's guitar talent and the harmony to the song really made it stand out.
Bike showed a great mix of sound, very vibrant and intricate.
Midsummer Moon In June was the shortest which was a shame but it really was a pretty song, I enjoyed this song.
Wishing You Well had a really cool beginning, and when Charlene whispers in the song it really motivates the song and overall I enjoyed this song a lot!
Almost Stole A Book, hilarious title, something I'd do (I'm a total bookworm) the piano makes the song sound kind of 'Mad Hatter' don't ask me why... and before Charlene starts to sing, it sounds A LOT like John Lennon! Weird...
And last but most definitely not last, Wherever You Will Go. The song that introduced me to Charlene Soraia. The vocals and the only instrument [piano] makes it a very haunting type of cover. I am fuming at people who say it's a bad cover and also I'm angry at people who say: "OMG OMG OMG! I love Charlene Soraia soooo much! Wherever You Will Go is amazing!" They need to listen to Charlene's other music to actually be able to say this and appreciate her music.
Overall, I can listen to Moonchild over and over and over again and NEVER get bored! It is ALL written by Charlene which makes me love her even more. I recommend this to anyone, I'm not sure there is much to criticize on Moonchild, the only thing I would say is to maybe involve a more upbeat sound for a more modern-ish sound. This is the first album in a while that is purely just instruments :D