Heather Nova
Album: 300 Days At Sea
Label: Saltwater
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.heathernova.com/

Despite her name, Heather Nova is not "new". In fact, she released her first recording, an EP, in 1990, under her real name of Heather Frith. Her first album under the name of Heather Nova, Glow Stars, was released in 1993 and since then she has released a further 11 albums [including 3 live recordings] of which 300 Days at Sea is the latest.

Heather was born in Bermuda and, as a child, lived on a boat called "Moon" which was built by her father. Her family spent several years sailing through the Caribbean, going from island to island. Heather says that this instilled a respect for nature in her. This is reflected in the fact that this new album was recorded[during daylight hours!] in her solar powered studio in Bermuda, where she lives with her husband and son.

Heather is an extremely talented singer songwriter who has experienced her greatest chart success in Germany and New Zealand . British viewers may have seen her on television in early 2012, on BBC1's "Breakfast" Programme when she was interviewed about her song "Higher Ground"[from 300 Days at Sea] .The song is written from the perspective of a person who is involved in providing aid to tsunami victims. The aid worker can "pull you from the wreckage "and "bring you what you need "but it's "you who lifts me to higher ground".

This is an excellent album, with a variety of styles. There are uptempo rock numbers, such as the opener, "Beautiful Ride" and "Stop the Fire ",both of which have plenty of hooks and great production. Then there are the more introspective acoustic pieces, such as the beautiful "Everything Changes", with its deeply personal lyrics ["Everything Changes, Changes for the Good, Even the Pain Hurts Like it Should "]. A truly haunting song.

Heather's seafaring childhood is evoked in the piano -based "The Good Ship "Moon". This another superb song which is about going home "to where the heart is ". The nautical theme of her childhood continues with "Turn the Compass Round", where she recalls how her "Mother Taught Me How to Be Free, My Father Showed Me How to Live the Dream" but now all she "wants to be is home".

The recurring theme of wanting to reach a destination and be "home" appears again in the closing "Stay ", which continues the nautical imagery ["Throw the Anchor Out With Me to the Shore, This is Where I Want to Be, Surrounded by the Sky and Sea "]. It is clear that Heather has found her ideal in life as "This Is Our Reason to Be, Alone on a Island at Sea ".

I highly recommend this album. It has all the elements of a great record- superb songwriting, beautiful vocals and excellent playing. Don't miss it!

Peter Cowley