Uncomfortable Truths. Ali Holder

In every person's life there are moments that he or she is confronted with inconvenient and uncomfortable truths. Oft they are confronting and unpleasant. Handle them well and they are moments of (strong) personal growth.

There however is nothing uncomfortable in Ali Holder's new album. In fact it is most welcome. She shows her strength in convincing ways on Uncomfortable Truths. Yes, I take you as you are, to answer her call in the song 'Take Me As I Am'.

The singer from Austin returns to this blog. I found out I have missed an EP in 2017. Her previous two records were presented on this blog in a positive way. As I have already given away, so is this record. Uncomfortable Truth shows several sides of Ali Holder but most of all her slow singing. She takes her time in a way that befits the temperatures of Texas as I imagine them, here from moderately climed the Netherlands.

The slow way of singing makes that the album itself is of the unhastening kind. Even when the musicians accompanying her kick in the speed and level pedals, like in 'Speak One', Ms. Holder still keeps her own pace. As a singer she simply is not in a hurry. The result is that songs seem to take much longer than they actually do. Like Dutch writer A.F.Th. van der Heijden in his book cycle 'De Tandeloze Tijd' ("toothless time"), she expands time with her way of singing, what he achieves in his slow and languorous writing. At the same time both can be extremely intense. Don't get them wrong.

There are two sides to Uncomfortable Truths. The common denominator is that Ali Holder is the star on her own album, as she should be as a solo artist. Her voice, her melodies are up front. Behind her there are differences. What I call full band songs and songs where musicians accompany her. There's a stark difference in the tone of these songs. In the latter Ali Holder takes the full centre. It is all about her presentation, her extremely pleasant voice and expression. Songs to truly listen to and be moved by more profoundly. The former songs rock (mildly) and reach and touch me far more direct. They make me move along.

In these songs she touches more on alternative country and singer-songwriter. There is nothing original in her music. Elements of Lucinda Williams or Amanda Pearcy, to name two obvious names for me, can be found on the album. There's nothing bad about that. This is a collection of extremely nice songs by a great singer, that I simply love listening to. The way she draws out her words is masterly and the sound of her voice is lovely.

Reading back to what I wrote, brings me to the conclusion that Uncomfortable Truths ought to be the album that makes the name Ali Holder better known over here. You've just read my small contribution to make that happen.

Wo.

You can listen to and buy Uncomfortable Truths here:

https://aliholder.bandcamp.com/album/uncomfortable-truths


or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g