Alexander Lalor - ​Little Blue

Alexander Lalor

​Little Blue
self-released; 2016

3.6 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
​

There isn’t much info out there about Alexander Lalor except that his release Little Blue is a collection of songs he has been writing for the past couple of years. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the man who is presumably on the cover art masking his face with what looks like shrubs. The results are quite good and varied. Lalor’s main weapons are his acoustic guitar and vocals but he has an arsenal of other implements that he utilizes throughout these five songs.

First up is “Little Blue” which revolves around two guitars, some atmospheric elements and his vocals. The guitar playing was pleasant but really couldn't carry the song by itself. Luckily, Lalor’s vocals are good enough to make the song excel. His vocals are warm, soft and comforting especially when he repeats the line “It will be alright.” “Little Blue” is a solid opener. In all honesty I was expecting the remaining four songs to utilize the same idea because acoustic singer/songwriter types often just stick to their guitar and vocals. 

Lalor mixes things up on the next track “I Tried” with piano and percussive element. There is a lounge-y almost jazzy feel to this song but at the same time it didn’t feel too far away from the opener. The vocals this time have a little more energy and feel a tad more funky than on the opener. Lalor even layers psychedelic sounding guitars towards the end of the song.

“Old Soul” removes the drums and goes into a nostalgic, melancholy vibe. Lalor goes three for three here. I was reminded of Bon Iver. “Home Away From Home” contains intricate guitar melodies and ghostly background vocals which both hug the main vocals. “Before The Fall” is the most overt deviation on the EP. This song not only feels like a full band but it contains distorted guitars and a swampy, Mississippi vibe. It wasn’t my favorite of the five but it still worked.

Some artists chose to embrace anonymity and I am going to surmise that Lalor may be one of those kinds of artists between his cover art and lack of available information. Lalor does have some talent and Little Blue is certainly a release that should grant him some fans. I hope to hear more from Lalor soon

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