Album Review: "From My Life" by Judith Lander – A Journey Through Time and Emotion
If you’re looking for an album that feels like flipping through a dusty photo album of someone else’s life, From My Life by Judith Lander is your ticket. Released in 2015 under the Not On Label banner, this collection of songs blends genres like Pop, Standards, Stage & Screen with styles rooted in Vocal and Chanson. It’s not just music—it’s storytelling, raw and unfiltered.
The first track that hit me right in the feels? “Bilbao Song (Happy End).” Man, oh man. This one sneaks up on you. At first, it’s all jaunty rhythms and playful melodies, but then Judith’s voice kicks in—warm, rich, full of cracks and crevices where emotion hides. You can almost picture her standing on some dimly lit stage in a smoky cabaret, telling stories about love lost and found again. The way she sings “…and if I had wings…” gives me goosebumps every time. It’s nostalgic without being cheesy, hopeful without pretending everything’s okay. That’s rare.
Then there’s “In My Life,” which shows up twice on the album. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking—why repeat it? But here’s the thing: both versions feel completely different. The first take is softer, more introspective, like Judith’s whispering secrets only you get to hear. The second version? Bolder, louder, almost defiant. Like she’s saying, “Hey world, listen up!” And honestly? Both takes work because they remind you how memories shift over time. One day you remember something fondly; the next, it stings a little. She nails that duality.
What makes this album stand out isn’t just the song selection—it’s how personal it feels. Tracks like “Chanson des Vieux Amants” and “September Song” bring a kind of bittersweet ache that sticks with you long after the music stops. These aren’t just covers; they’re reinterpretations, infused with Judith’s soul. Her voice has this lived-in quality, like she’s seen things—good and bad—and decided to keep going anyway.
And let’s talk about “Marieke.” Oh boy. If Jacques Brel himself walked into the room while I was listening to this, I’d probably hug him awkwardly and say thanks for inspiring such beauty. There’s something so tender yet fierce about the way Judith handles these lyrics. It’s like watching someone hold onto a memory so tight their knuckles go white.
By the end of From My Life, I wasn’t sure whether to cry or laugh or call my mom. Maybe all three. Because that’s what great albums do—they make you feel messy and human. So yeah, give this one a spin. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself staring out the window, wondering where the years went.
P.S. Side note: Who knew Bilbao could sound so heartbreaking? Definitely adding it to my rainy-day playlist.
