Album Notes

Helen Horal, a 21-year old south Florida transplant came to Charlottesville in 2004 in order to pursue her career as both a student and a musician. The fall of 2006 brought great things for Helen as she reentered the studio to work on the follow-up album to her Florida release There Is Only This Place; more importantly, she received a nod from Bruce Flohr (ATO Records/Red Light Management), Boyd Tinsley (DMB), and Rita Dove (poet laureat) as she was chosen as the winner of the songwriting contest "First Amendment Writes" for her song "Old Eyes." With this title under her belt, doors began to open left and right for her just in time for her to finish up her record thanks to the help of some of Charlottesville's heavy-hitters. Helen's album Words Unbroken is a testament both to her lyrics and to the musicians who accompanied Helen in the studio (and who continue to accompany her live). It is her voice, however, that ties the record both to Helen and the listener; BMG wrote "When you hear a voice like that, it stands out." The self-proclaimed poet by nature, musician by nurture, it is Helen's words that transcend the ears of the listener; her voice stands as the vehicle. Boyd Tinsley (DMB) says, "She's got a great voice and really seems to understand the craft of songwriting." Her comprehension of songwriting translates the honesty of her lyrics to the sincerity of her voice and it is this statement that stands at the forefront of her album Words Unbroken.