Kara Tondorf: ‘Ever After’ Album Review

Scituate native, Kara Tondorf released her first album, ‘I Like Your Face,’ in 2001. It was voted the Album of the Year by Music Connection Magazine. After a twelve-year break, Kara connected with Pete Stewart, a multi-GRAMMY award winning engineer and producer to record her sophomore album, titled ‘Ever After.’ The album has nine tracks about love, life, loss and all we feel and go through as human beings.

1.) ‘Fourth of July’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: The song first starts out with just the beat of the drum soon followed by the slow picking of guitar strings. When we hear the singers voice it comes in with a soulful sound. The acoustic beat of the drum and picking guitar gives the listener a view into the singer’s empty soul as it looks for something or someone to fill the void.
Favorite Lyrics: Just fill me up on the inside tonight we’ll save the rest for another day…

2.) ‘Picture Down’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: When we hear the start of the song all we hear is the sounds of an acoustic guitar. Within a few notes of the song the sounds of a steal guitar enter into the background. The songs tone is sad. The conviction of the choices that were made can be heard in the singer’s voice. This is a song about a decision that was made to let go of someone who meant a lot to you. The relationship did not work and you finally realize that that is ok. You have moved on and so should they.
Favorite Lyrics: Don’t come for me my head is finally clear. If you find me, I won’t be there…

3.) ‘November’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: The tempo of ‘November’ is more upbeat than some of the other tracks on the album. The singer is comparing a relationship to the changes of the seasons, specifically to how spring is for new beginnings. The beautiful violin solo adds layers to the melody of the song making the listener feel as if they too are going through a change.
Favorite Lyrics: If you call me now I just might come and rescue you, and if I don’t know that now I might not be able to resist you at all…

4.) ‘Rescue Me’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: This song has a dark quality to it, portrayed by the heavy beat of the drum. You can hear the struggle in the singer’s voice as the lyrics resonate. She is trying to make changes in her unhappy life but can’t find the strength to do it. The tone is haunting as the violins play in the background, sounding like a cry for help.
Favorite Lyrics: Someone come rescue me before I go down. I’ve been here too long in this forgotten town…

5.) ‘I Never Called You Baby’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: The singers tone is firm and proud. You can hear confidence and power in the beat of the song, as the singer decides, for her own piece of mind, it is best to forgive.
Favorite Lyrics: …and I can’t undo what’s done and I won’t forget the tears… I was raised by a great lady, who so many times has saved me; she taught me about forgiveness…

6.) ‘Home’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: A positive cheerful song where the singer leaves all the sadness and anger behind. The rhythm and beat help the listener feel how content and safe she feels. By the end of the song you feel as the artist does, that she has at last come home.
Favorite Lyrics: I sleep to the sound of silence no more yelling in my mind. I’ve learned to let go, forgive and leave pieces of me behind… Cause the life we live and the love we give is what this is all about…

7.) ‘Last Goodbye’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: This is a sad song about the death of a loved one. The acoustic sound of the guitar allows the listener to hear the sincerity of the singer’s voice while she tells her friend that she can finally be at peace. The background violin sounds like angels singing, telling her she will always be remembered and will forever be an influence to those she left behind.
Favorite Lyrics: …and I know there’s music playing when I look up to the sky, cause we all got a little piece of you inside…

8.) ‘Piano Song’ – Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: This song is what country music is all about, telling stories. It’s an uplifting song of support as the singer explains how important it is to speak up and voice your concerns. Be angry and fight for what you want and don’t back down or sacrifice your beliefs. The last notes of the song fade out with the picking of guitar strings.
Favorite Lyrics: …and I promise you that everything is gonna change, and you can’t fight the world with your silence, got to fight with your words…                      

9.) ‘Ever After’- Written by Kara Tondorf.
Impression: This is our favorite song on the record. The passion in the singer’s voice allows the listener to feel what the singer feels. She is proud of the long road she has come down as it has brought her to the place she is supposed to be. It is a tribute to the family she loves and how they finally made her whole. She no longer has to wander through life looking for something. She has finally found it in the love she has with her wife and her sons. She finally found her ‘Ever After.’
Favorite Lyrics: A gypsy soul inside this girl, now they are my entire world…

From the first notes to the last you can hear the struggles and the triumphs of Kara’s Torndorf’s life. Her songs have depth and meaning and many will resonate with the listener. In all nine songs of ‘Ever After,’ Kara has laid her life out for all of us to see. The songs and themes will remind you of your own life and will touch you in many ways.

Tondorf also had musical talent help in the recording of her album. Her accompanying performers included Blake Shelton’s violin player and Taylor Swift’s drummer.

You can purchase ‘Ever After’ now at CD Baby and on iTunes and other media outlets next week.

The CD release party for ‘Ever After’ will be held on June 26th, 2016 at The Situate Beach Association in Scituate, MA. You can purchase tickets here.

Album review conducted by Lorraine Frigoletto contributing writer for New England Country Music. You can follow me on Twitter.