Album Review: Eyes on Ivan and Ali Holder
Eyes on Ivan: Way of the Fool
What follows is a solid debut for the new band, featuring a collection of nine original songs along with an up tempo cover of Daniel Lanois’ Jolie Louise.
The band is at its best with the toe-tapping beats and album standouts include Oh Relic and the deceptive Lady Love. It’s a solid debut and the the kind of album that slips into your playlist on a warm fall evening with friends and starts to work its way in for repeat listenings. Well worth a listen.
Way of the Fool is available on iTunes now. Eyes on Ivan will be in Edmonton at the Avenue Theatre supporting Eamon McGrath on September 28th. Watch for other tour date on their web site.
The swinging two step of Falling Up is a surprising and addictive opening to Texas singer Ali Holder’s In Preparation for Saturn’s Return, her debut solo album. The bluesy electric guitar and fiddle of the song reaches right through the speakers and pull you into the album right from the start.
Holder’s got a great, addictive bluesy voice and the material here–all originals by Holder–shows a solid grasp of what makes a good song. The 27 year old Holder’s been performing live since she was 16, and it shows: her songs are personal and intimate but feel like experiences we can all share. Lost & Found, You and I and Mourning Dove are particularly fine examples.
While the opening track has its roots firmly in the blues, songs like Drinking Doubles demonstrate more of a country aesthetic. Holder moves smoothly between styles and presents a collection of highly listenable songs to welcome you into her world with.
In Preparation for Saturn’s Return is named in honour of an astrological event where the planet Saturn is said to return to to the same place in the sky as the moment of a person’s birth. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another 27 years for a follow up: this is a solid debut that shows a lot of promise for the future.
In Preparation for Saturn’s Return is available on iTunes. Ali Holder is touring Texas to celebrate the launch of her album.