Search - Mary Fahl :: Lenses of Contact

Mary Fahl: A National Treasure! No Fahl From Grace Here!!!

R. W. Taylor | Woodland Park CO USA | 01/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once, while in a Dayton mall I heard October Project's "Bury My Lovely" for the first time. And music will never be the same for me. I still love everything about OP, but it was Mary Fahl's voice that first drew my attention. Had it not been for her Siren's call haunting my mind, I might never have been drawn toward her amazing sound.She's back in her first Solo effort, LENSES OF CONTACT. Sadly the disk is too short, but I judge it was never meant to be a full effort, just something to whet your appetite, something to tide you over from the Downy commercial or that Animal Planet theme. This disk is cheap at twice the price.Simply put, LENSES OF CONTACT is a beautiful disk, full of deeply felt lyrics, and beautifully-produced melodies that never overpower Mary's singing--as if that were possible. I shouldn't be surprised, but I was; with this effort Mary has established herself as a lyricist and poet. Mary was the major force behind all the lyrics with the exception of REDEMPTION by Ramsey McLean (New Orleans jazz combo. Ramsey McLean & the Survivors) Regarding Ramsey's prowess, Harry Connick Jr, once said, "He's amazing." ( ... ) But know this: REDEMPTION is not a jazz riff.Mary's four songs pull your heart strings. For me, they conjure up images of rain swept landscapes and melancholy Sunday afternoons. These are songs of love, songs of emotion, songs of break-up, songs of longing, and songs of growing.No one tune outshines another, but my favorite is MEANT TO SAY. For me it's a haunting memory of a thousand fights between couples and a thousand attempts at mending fences. In a few words she speaks volumes on that theme."If what I said and what you heard today, had only been what I had meant to say, I know you'd understand ..."PAOLO is amazing as well and so heartfelt, it must recount a past love. Beautiful, clear piano to complement Mary's voice, a lilting acoustic guitar far in the background, and just the right touch of percussion so effective, so much a part of the music (not the rhythm), I think it could be tympani. But you can do so much with drums these days.I hope RAGING CHILD is autobiographical. I am probably way off, but here's an incorrigible daughter captured in a ballad so haunting it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. "Don't ever minimize the cool girl. She is a warrior and still tender. You have no choice. Her heart is numb to your voice."If you're reading this review, you certainly know October Project. If was Mary's voice that drew you in, you are going to love this disk. Buy it now, then tell your friends Mary's back."

Read before buying!!!!!

R. W. Taylor | 07/20/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD but three out of the four songs on it are also on her The Other Side of Time, which is a five star CD by anybody's definition. I'd give this one five stars except that there are only four songs on the whole CD. Get The Other Side of Time instead, you won't be disappointed!"

A vocal goddess

Jim Pike | Waterford, MI USA | 02/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like others before me I first became entranced with Mary Fahl's voice from her days with October Project. Her voice is dark, haunting, and pure. While a great fan of many of the woman vocalists over the years, I can offer no one I would compare to her. I had the great fortune to see October Project three times when they performed in the Detroit area before they broke up. I could not believe that someone with that voice could retire. The current EP, Lenses of Contact, is a must for any October Project fan. Her new material has stripped away some of the catchy music and exposed the raw soul of Mary Fahl. Mary, do us all a favor and record some more of your music for us. It has been way too long to wait."