Track Listing

1. Lie
2. Out Of Touch
3. Looking For Water
4. So Emotional
5. Lost Without A Name
6. Get Out
7. Honesty
8. Adore
9. From The Inside
10. Sweeter & Sweeter
11. Truth Or Dare
12. Moment

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29219 in Music
• Released on: 2005-10-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 61 minutes

From the Label
Honesty, is a largely self-composed album (with some co-writes by Shakespear's Sister's Marcella Detroit, Alisha's Attic's Karen Poole and veteran British folkstress Judie Tzuke.) Alex says, "Every song on the album is true, and about something that really happened. I got very emotional making the album. I wanted to call it 'Honesty' because it's all so bare, I felt like I really wanted to show ME!" The first single "Looking For Water" is a beautiful anthemic ballad which was inspired by a friend of Alex's who "takes from people all the time, 'cos they're too fragile to give to you."

Alex has been out of the spotlight for 18 months now, so what's been happening since then? "I've been growing up and having to fend for myself. The two big things for me have been being on my own and moving to London and making this album." Recorded mostly in LA with producer Greg Wells (Rufus Wainwright), Alex is over the moon with how it turned out, "I know it has taken some time, but I wanted to work until the album was exactly how I wanted it to be. It's been a fantastic experience to work with such amazing producers, it has shone a whole new light onto everything. I'm very excited about the new material."

CD Description
'Honesty' comes two years after the rush released debut 'Introduction' and sees the 2003 Fame Academy winner mature as a singer/songwriter. Written and composed mainly by Parks herself, the album has a stronger, more personal feel than herdebut with her raspy vocals are set to a backdrop of adult contemporary pop and rock. The single 'Looking For Water' isalso included.

Customer Reviews

A Unique Talent
For most of the ' reality talent' shows it is a bit like watching Big Brother - you enjoy watching at the time but then you never want to see or hear from the contestants again when it is all over. Alex Parks is an exception as she really does have a unique talent - I really liked her first album, even if it is was mostly covers. I was therefore really happy to see a second album come out, which it turns out is more original but every bit as good as Introduction. Well worth investing in

Proving herself as a serious artist
Honesty is the first entirely original album from Alex Parks, winner of the second series of Fame Academy over 2 years ago. Her first album, Introduction, gave us a glipse of the direction she might take and where that started, this continues.

Some criticisms have been levelled at the album already, namely that it's too down-tempo, too angsty and that the vocals aren't strong enough. As far as the tempo goes, there's plenty of upbeat songs, such as Honesty, Truth or Dare and the secret track - Tail and All (which is a real gem). Similarly, not all the songs are sad. However, I would have liked to see a few more tracks where Alex really pushed her voice to the limit, like she does in the opening track Lie. Having said that, if you look at the album as a whole, the tracks work really well together and it feels like a complete chapter - so perhaps the next album will mark a change of pace and style?

The only real criticsm that I'd levy at the album would be in terms of it's production. Although Alex's singing sounds stripped down and bare, some of the music seems to swallow it up or work against it, particularly towards the middle of the album. I would have liked to have heard a more acoustic feel to the album (to match the style of her singing) - or at least more 'real' instruments!

Aside from that, I think it's a great album, and definitely one that improves with a few listens. Whether you put it on in the background to chill out or turn it up loud and feel every word, it's definitely one to have in your music collection. And an album that shows just how far Alex has progressed as a songwriter (the lyrics throughout are excellent) and how she has succcessfully distanced herself from the TV talent show label.

Genuinely honest, beautiful album if given the chance.
Alex Parks new album has been an inriguing listen. For a start there's that voice. Not usually fussed by reality tv or the voices it seems to uncover alex parks really dominated fame academy and was obviously an exceptionally talented singer. Her unique, emotive voice worked well on her debut with b-side Chasing the Blue one of the songs i can never stop playing.

so here she is back with her second album, far after the interest has moved on and off other winners. This album has had mixed reviews everywhere, those that have given it a chance seem to discover the truth that this is a very accomplished, heartfelt and beautiful album that belies alex's age. Refusing to tread the poppy path to stardom the 12 songs here are largely slow mournful songs. Standout tracks From the Inside and Sweeter and Sweeter are sinply gorgeous. Brave, personal and moving without being trite or saccharine. Now though all the songs have really grown on me. Lie is just a great song, Looking for water the first single is just perfectly crafted. And so on with most of the songs.

To be fair the title track Honesty was my least fave song on the album but suprisingly its catchy chorus and lightness, it is suprisingly upbeat for alex, actually wrok very well, though if polydor were wise they'd release from the inside in time for xmas not this and actually promote alex as its when people hear her live that they will be won over by her voice and songs and that has the potential to do a mad world and suprisingly top the charts as it it really is the song of the album.

All in all an album that does require a few listens for its impact to to be truly made, but once there i think many wil find it a truly great album. A genuine british talent, a distinctive voice with songs that could be likened at times to dido, fiona apple, annie lennox whilst being unmistakably alex.

Lets hope polydor give alex the chance to develop what is obviously a developing talent and learn to promote her.