LWACC Lucy Ward as chameleon chanteuse

A much anticipated sophomore album—a US expression: the rest of the Anglophone world just says 'second album' to avoid any misunderstandings or unintended connotations in translation from the paradoxically compounded Greek words σοφός (sophos) 'wise' + μωρός (moros) 'foolish, dull', because second albums are often moros rather than sophos—from Lucy Ward was released last month after a two year wait. On first listening, our instant response was "over-produced" with a move from "spare" to "lush" as we waited for Mantovani to unleash his signature cascading strings rippling through our virtual concert hall in accompaniment. That sound may have been the biggest seller before the Beatles, but times have changed. Thankfully, the ripple never actually rippled.

The new album is not so bad: like most first-time listeners to second albums we were expecting more of the same. Expectation is the mother of disappointment. A wise woman once told us that nothing is ever as good or as bad as it first seems. She omitted to mention that while the homily holds true for the good, the bad is sometimes a lot worse; not this album we hasten to add. Perhaps when a chanteuse changes her hair color between album releases that should be taken as a signal. The album seems to have found favor with those better qualified than we are to make a judgement: you may read Guardian [1] and Folk Radio UK [2] for more enthusiastic reviews.

The new album is starting to grow on us, but 'Alice in the Bacon Box', from the first album, remains a firm favorite.

Visit the LucyWardSings.com website for more details about Ward and some promotional blogging for the new album.