LAUREN MONROE ~ 'MESSAGES FROM APHRODITE THE STORYTELLER EDITION'

I'm music magazine, lauren monroe, Messages from Aphrodite, Messages from Aphrodite storyteller edition, rick allen, def leppard, void of course, tyler bryant, david garza, raven drum foundation — ??????????

Everyone likes a good story, as they tend to offer solace, distraction, education, and at times, relaxation. Lauren Monroe’s latest album Messages from Aphrodite shares a story of it’s creation, and the depth of it’s soul, with The Storyteller Edition.

This unique collection has a commentary before each song, telling the story of each song’s creation. Lauren’s background as a spiritual healer and mental health activist, is a driving force in each story and each song. In the commentary for the song “If You Want”, she talks about “…choosing love over fear. And that in every moment, we have the ability to make that choice, to move away from whatever emotion might be negative. Confusion, anger, judgment, sadness; and move our attention into a place of love.” Lauren’s soulful voice, coupled with the blend of a folksy blues sound, is soothing, moving, with notes of encouragement. This sound, created so simply, is perfect for the healing tones Monroe is projecting. She thoughtfully creates the perfect blend to go with the message she’s creating with each song. A perfect example is the minimal instrumentation on songs like “Sparrow” and “Gold”. Both of these speak to easing the pain of grief, with compassion and empathy. The softer sounds allow her soulful yet soothing voice to project those feelings.

One of the more powerful songs on this album, is called “Void of Course”. It smolders with a determination that causes an sharp edge in the music and her voice. There is an air of Allman Brothers, Doobie Brothers in the music, a rock infused folksy sound. She explains in the commentary, how she uses the term “Void of Course”, which is an astrological term for when the moon transitions away from a planet towards another. “I took this as a metaphor of relationships, which I see quite often, which I’ve experienced in my past. When you’re with someone who is not the right person; they might be a toxic match, but you love them, deeply. So when you say it’s time to go…all of sudden you’re in a place of fear. … You are not able to honor the decision to empower yourself because of the fear.” Those kinds of situations tend to be an emotional roller coaster, and this song is layered with all that raw energy, trying to fill the hole left from the disconnect. The song’s refrain “ So what you sayin’ won’t you come won’t you save me, yeah/ What you playin’ won’t you come won’t you save me/ Ooo ooo ooo don’t come back to me / Come back to me Come back to me Come back to me Come back to me Come back to me”

This album has a myriad of supporting artists from across the world of music, headed up by drummer and husband Rick Allen (Def Leppard). Guitarists Tyler Bryant (Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown), David Garza (Fiona Apple), bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing, Fiona Apple), just to name a few. All of this comes together in a beautiful celebration of music, that has multiple purposes. On her website (laurenmonroe.com), Monroe says she sees her music as “a heart based experience…not just about listening- it’s about feeling and connecting.” I think that is something we can all agree on, across all genres. These songs are truly messages from love. Aphrodite was the goddess of love in Greek mythology, after all. We could all use some love, every now and then.

I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Michele Hancock