Love Calls Love by Alan Simon: A Journey Through Folk, Rock, and Heartfelt Tunes
If you’re into music that feels like a warm hug but also punches you right in the soul, Love Calls Love by Alan Simon is worth your time. Released back in 2003 outta Belgium (yeah, Belgium!), this album blends folk, world, country, and rock in ways that just stick to you. It’s not perfect—far from it—but damn if it doesn’t make you feel something deep down.
Let me tell ya about two tracks I can’t shake off. First up, obviously, the title track “Love Calls Love.” Man, this one sneaks up on you. At first listen, it’s all mellow acoustic vibes with Alan’s voice kinda floating over the melody. But then there’s this moment—it hits around halfway through—where everything swells up, strings come in, and suddenly you’re not just hearing it anymore; you’re living it. The lyrics are simple enough, but they don’t need to be fancy. They remind me of those late-night talks where nobody says much, yet somehow everything gets said anyway.
Then there's another tune—I won’t spoil which one because discovering it yourself is half the fun—but let’s just say it leans heavier into the rock side of things. It’s got this raw energy, almost like Alan decided to let loose for once. You can practically hear him stomping his foot while playing guitar. There’s an urgency here, like he’s trying to chase after something before it slips away. And honestly? That desperation makes it unforgettable.
What really stands out about this album isn’t just how well-crafted it is (because, yeah, some parts could use a tweak or two). No, what hooks you is its honesty. Alan doesn’t try too hard to impress anyone—he just lays it all out there, warts and all. Listening to Love Calls Love, you get the sense that these songs weren’t written so much as lived.
Funny thing though—after spinning this record a few times, I started thinking about love itself. Not romantic love, necessarily, but the messy, complicated kind we share with people who drive us crazy half the time. Isn’t that what good music does? Makes you reflect on stuff you’d rather ignore?
So go ahead, give Love Calls Love a shot. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself humming “Love Calls Love” at random moments for weeks afterward. Oh, and bonus points if you manage to track down a physical copy—it’s got this gritty charm digital files just can’t replicate. Trust me, it’s worth it.
