Album Review: Long Way From Home

I have a wee soft spot for Celtic music, so I was excited to get an opportunity to review Long Way From Home by Madam Tsunami. This album did not disappoint. 

A wondrous, tantalising Gaelic journey awaited, steeped in deep rich tones of the double bass. 

Madam Tsunami is a folk – pop collective fronted by husband and wife Adam and Coralie Usmani. The couples relocation from Auckland to Aberdeen in Scotland, provides a theme of yearning for home and also new beginning’s. Their vocals compliment each other. Coralie’s beautiful voice intertwining with Adam’s strong “Kiwi” sound, encapsulated by the multinational talent of accompanying musicians. 

Like the rising mist blowing gently over a Loch, track number one Mana envelopes you in a cloak of musical serenity. Mystical and alluring instrumental excellence.

The listener is taken through a journey of the Scottish Highlands, with faint stirrings of the theme to Local Hero by Mark Knopfler on track five Blackfriars, this was goose bump material for me, to say I loved it may seem rather forward of me, but suffice to say I am deeply in like with this track and it is on repeat.

I was in a mellow state, with visions of heather and misty Lochs on my mind, when track nine Plot On The Moon, slapped me around the ears and brought me back to reality. It is vocally strong and political, albeit to the familiar stirrings of that Celtic, Scottish sound. From here on in the rest of the album showcase strong, reflective lyrics right the way through to track twelve Loving Memory, which was a beautiful ending to a stunning album.

If you like music to take you on a journey, to appeal to your senses and calm your nerves, then I recommend Long Way From Home. That as it may be I love the Kiwi sounding Scottish vibe which Madam Tsunami have captured.

It is indeed a thing of beauty.