Customer Reviews

The Road Home

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If I were stuck on a desert island, this would be the one CD I could happily listen to over and over again! The songs styles are deliciously varied and Tina's vocalizations are sweet magic. I sing along to all the tunes and so do my kids. The 6 and 9 year olds know all the words to "the Road Home" and my 2 year old sings along with the chorus! My favorites are the title track and the hauntingly beautiful "Don't Look Away." If you EVER get the chance to see this performer live in concert don't miss it.

The thing that makes a song great for me is that when you least expect it, the tune pops into your head. Tina's new CD has done that for me once again, as have her past two releases. She is just that kind of honest and talented songwriter that can match an idea with a melody and catch you hummming it the next day. Faves on her new record for me are the title cut," The Road Home", " The Box", and " Raise Your Voice". Oh, and if you ever get a chance to see her live...do it! Be prepared however to feel the full spectrum of human emotions. Translation..bring kleenex:-)

Tina Lear has an incredible talent for writing heartfelt and personal lyrics for her voice to play with. I love how she dances unadulterated through two very different songs "The Present" and "The Village Is Ours" the snappiest number here. Instrumentally, this release is spiced brilliantly with Howard Levy's harmonica in "There and Back Again" and "The Road Home". From the penetrating, sometimes haunting tone in my favorite, "Don't Look Away" (try skipping past it - you just can't), to the almost mesmerizing "People in Cars", it will leave you singing to yourself and thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed this CD from beginning to end.

Those who have followed Tina's music will appreciate the evolution of her songwriting and production qualities. Don't get me wrong. The first two CDs are good. It's just that The Road Home takes her work to another level, showcasing her vocal range and her compositional sophistication. While it's difficult to pick out a single favorite, I'm partial to the title cut because it really speaks to my own beliefs about the importance of community. And for those new to her music, this would be a great place to start.

If you like music with meaning, humor, intelligence, fun, sometimes dance-ability, life-affirming lyrics and stunning arrangements, you have got to hear this album. Lear brings the diversity of real life into her music in a way that's rare for today's musicians. She's both a great storyteller and a great musician. The combination makes songs I'll keep for a lifetime. I use many of her tunes as tools for inspiration and deep reflection, and just plain fun when convening groups of people. Can't recommend this album highly enough.