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Amazon.co.uk Review
Storm rumbles with a guilty intensity that's unrelenting on the likes of "Lets Not Talk about Love" and the haunting admission of adultery "One Day in June". Elsewhere atmospheric soundscapes such as "Aquamarine" are laid next to the stripped-bare simplicity of "Everything", featuring the gentle strumming of Patti Smith's longtime guitarist Lenny Kaye. Carefully crafted, highly composed and not a little uncompromising, Storm is a sublime mix of lush melodies and candid poetic lyricism that is arguably Nova's career best. --Christopher Barrett
About the Artist
It's an album Heather has wanted to make for a long time, simplicity being the common denominator throughout the songs, the musical performances and the production. Recording vocals and basic guitar at home in Bermuda (with tree frogs still audible as background accompaniment on the finished album), it was feared the songs might get lost in the production process that would usually follow. Listening to her favourite albums, Heather came upon the idea of taking her songs further by collaborating with another artist, as both co-producers and musicians, each of her previous albums having been made with a mixture of musicians and producers.
It was the atmosphere of Mercury Rev's albums that made them the first choice. They had met on tour the previous summer and had once recorded for, and been managed by, Heather's UK label, Big Cat Records. It was an idea that belonged to a distant past, in a music business where it was about musicians making music, rather than today where contractual restrictions would stop such an idea in its tracks and musical collaboration suggestions stem from labels hoping to attain budgetary targets. ... and so it was, with the next stage of recording taking place at Allaire Studios, thousands of feet up a mountain in Woodstock, where daily snowfall levels fluctuated between 15 and 60 centimeters. If the album were a film, we could be looking at splicing the first half of 'The Blue Lagoon' with the second half of 'The Shining'. The music flowed freely and quickly, the 'Divine Sparks' bringing the desired atmosphere and the subtlest production touches and playing on all but two songs: 'Storm' which features Heather on her own and 'Everytime', solo performance featuring the guitar playing of the Patti Smith Group's Lenny Kaye, a longtime Heather fan.
The songs fall loosely into two different types according to Heather, those with a narrative like 'Fool For You' and 'One Day In June', and those like 'Aquamarine' that are textures, landscapes, passing moments in time. Heather says, "If I had to sum up the album I would say it is about 'temptation, desire, and guilt'. The title 'Storm' points towards a need to bring situations to a head, often where it is the hardest thing emotionally, in the hope that things can be resolved. The weather conditions during the recordings definitely added to the isolation and mood of the finished record."
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Customer Reviews
However, I am glad to report that this new album has Heather back to her true form. From the first play,I knew this cd would encapsulte me, and I have to declare that this is Heather at her most honest and best recording performance so far.
The songs are so very much more intense, more earthy and simple, but yet her voice is at it's most haunting best throughout. Efforts such as One Day In June and the title track Storm, has proved that Heather has the ability to cause fragility in one's heart and mind, while other highlights such as All I Need and Everything, just back up what is a truely inspired piece of work.
I have always wished Heather had more sales success, especially in the UK, but at times, I am glad that she is not this commercially huge music icon, because somethings are best kept and best left a secret, and Heather Nova is one hell of a little secret!
Heather Nova does not disappoint any of her devoted fans with this latest collection of truly beautiful songs. Track 9 'Thats all i need' is the most wonderful song in the world ever!!!!
It is also a disgrace that the record industry does not rate Heather Nova as the pure wonderful gem she is. Has no one else other than her fans have any real taste?
you could get lost in this haunting album for the rest of your life. Definatly one that you will be listening to in another 10 yrs. How many other albums can you say that about? if her vocals do not melt your heart than there is something wrong with you.
I met Heather a while back and she is so sweet and down to earth. a truly underrated star. Shine on Heather!!
Buy this album. Buy it now and join the few of us who truly appreciate quality when we here it!
'Storm' boasts poetic lyrics and sounds indigenous to Heather's earlier work, but with different musical arrangements owing to different producers. It lifts your spirits as it carries you away into a daydream. "Let's Not Talk About Love" is sung with mood, aching with musical expression and emotion. "You Left Me A Song" full of electric guitar rifts, "Drink It In" is so atmospheric, I listened to this album on a long train journey and it flowed so well with the rushing scenery;trees and fields. Heather appreciates the sky and scenery so it fit in well.This track is one of my favourites. "River of Life" sings of disappointments in life, but with a catchy tune, it's almost reassuring. "Storm" echoes a similar sentiment to "River of Life". I wasn't too keen on "One Day In June" a confession of adultery, and somewhat dreary although tinged with guilt. "Aquamarine" is a bit flat, not one of the highlights on this album.
"I wanna Be Your Light" sounds cheesy as a title but lends itself to repetition in your head, it's beautiful and sung with longing and meaning, and flowing soundscapes...wonderful...another favourite of mine. "All I Need" is incredibly catchy, with soaring piano and strings, and emotive lyrics... pure bliss... "Fool For You" sings of the way in which love can make you crazy for someone, it is a happy, identifiable song, sparked with a haunting Hammond and a twinkling piano, a very good note to end the album on.
Overall, this album is a beauty, showing off Heather's huge talent, I keep on playing it over and over. For the existing Heather Nova fan, it is a must, and probably the best of her work so far. For anyone unfamiliar with Heather Nova, it is a fantastic introduction...enjoy
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