On her debut release, I’ve Been Waiting, Boston-based singer/songwriter Lauren Bateman sings of love, heartache, anger, redemption and loss. While her moving tales are relatable, the lack of diversity in her vocals from track to track makes it difficult for listeners to truly pay attention. Each song blends into the next with little variation vocally to keep one intrigued.
However, all is not lost. Bateman crafts passionate lyrics many can identify with. Tracks like “Guardian Angel” strike a chord to all who have lost a loved one while “Civil Again” represents the desire most couples have after a bad breakup – for everything to go back to how it once was.
Title track, “I’ve Been Waiting,” kicks off the 10-track album with slow guitar strumming before Bateman enters. With raspy vocals reminiscent to that of Melissa Etheridge, Bateman sings of finding her way. Described as, “a lost soul finding all they have been waiting for in love,” the song is an appropriate introduction for listeners. “I thought I would never be saved/I thought my heart would always feel this way/Always lost and alone/Always looking for the way home,” she sings. With the overlying theme of one’s search for love, “I’ve Been Waiting” begins the listener’s journey.
“I don’t want to be without your beautiful face/And I don’t want to be without the memory of your sweetest grace/And I won’t let a day go by without letting you know/These feelings only grow,” Bateman sings on next track, “Beautiful Face.” With light percussion and vocals, the song demonstrates a stripped down approach. Easily pictured being played at an intimate venue or coffee house, Bateman has a friendly appeal.
Third song, “Civil Again” switches gears from the butterflies-in-the-stomach excitement of new love to the heartache and questioning of what went wrong at the end of a relationship. Singing of the awkward encounter with a past love, you can feel the sadness and longing for normalcy in Bateman’s vocals.
One of the stronger tracks musically on I’ve Been Waiting, “Everything’s Okay,” is an edgier lament of Bateman seemingly trying to convince herself that “Everything is going to be okay.” With angst-filled electric guitar accompaniment and haunting timpani features, it is the music that stands out the most. It is curious how Bateman’s voice remains so constant though. Starting out with a slow whisper, she eventually picks up her singing style, but never reaches the same intensity as the music.
A song written for her aunt that passed away from pancreatic cancer last year, “Guardian Angel” is by far the strongest track musically and vocally. With chilling string accompaniment and emotion-fueled vocals, it is on this song that Bateman truly shines. Obviously a touching tribute to her aunt, the listener can feel the impact and loss Bateman suffered. Again, a slight crescendo or dip within her vocals could have made the song even more powerful.
Ending I’ve Been Waiting with “Happy Ever After” and “Burning Bridge,” Bateman seems to have found herself. While still in search for love, she appears closer to discovering her own happiness. A long journey, I’ve Been Waiting is a dive into her innermost emotions and dreams while proving to be therapeutic. A strong debut release, with added variation vocally, I’ve Been Waiting could have made more of an impact.
Review by Annie Reuter
