The post Album Review: Hunting My Dress by Jesca Hoop first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Hunting My Dress
Artist: Jesca Hoop
Year/Label: 2010 / Independent
[Buy Amazon]
[Vinyl! at Amazon] (not out til Aug 10)
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
I was late to the Jesca Hoop party on her previous record, [Kismet]. By the time I discovered it on eMusic, I came here to post about and saw that Anna Maria had already reviewed it like a year before. I submit that I have too much else in my very small brain to remember every review I’ve done let alone every one that Anna and the others have. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. But once I heard it I was in love.
Determined not to be behind again, I made sure I got a copy of her new one when it came out in Europe. So I’ve been listening to it for months now and am also in love with this one.
It’s become such a part of my daily soundtrack I couldn’t possibly pick out songs that are best or even my personal favorites because to be honest, I truly love them all. From the opening “oooh-uh oooh”s on Whispering Light to the beautiful and haunting title track you’ll be enrapt.
But since I’ve seen a video for The Kingdom that one always hits me as I remember the visuals she’s assigned to it.
Her signature voice and background chanting vocals is present here as it was on Kismet.
The songwriting is amazing and intricate and best of all, unique. This is one artist that always impresses me.
But the good news is that Hunting My Dress will be released July 27th, 2010 in the US. You can listen to it streaming now on
[NPR]
Track Listing (note: this is the track listing on mine, the US version looks to be a different order and appears to include some songs from Kismet as well. Guess I’ll be getting that version too!)
1. Whispering Light
2. The Kingdome
3. Feast of the Heart
4. Angel Mom
5. Four Dreams
6. Murder of Birds
7. Bed Across the Sea
8. Tulip
9. Hunting My Dress
Here’s the UK artwork
The post Album Review: Hunting My Dress by Jesca Hoop first appeared on Collected Sounds.
]]>The post Album Review: Under by Kenny Schick first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Under
Artist: Kenny Schick/Basement 3
Year/Label: 2010 / Basement 3
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Kenny Schick is one half of Artemesia Black, but the records solo also. He has a rather sparse, but intriguing sound on this effort.
His voice is well up to the task.
Ghost is a soft yet haunting song where his guitar does a few neat things. It’s kinda bluesy and has a lot of charm.
He covers Gillian Welch’s The Revelator nicely and it gets a good reading. Artemesia Black has also done a Welch cover so clearly he likes her stuff.
Opposite is calm and well played, Schick getting some vocal support by Sabiné Heusler. It’s an appealing song in all.
Back Home is a slow song that really shows off Schick’s skill with the guitar.
This is a very nice little album.
Track Listing
1. Bottom of the World
2. Ghost
3. Summer
4. Revelator
5. Rain
6. Kiss
7. Opposite
8. Calling You
9. Go
10. Sun Goes Down
11. Play
12. Back Home
13. Black and Blue
14. Sweetest Sting(Beena)
The post Album Review: Under by Kenny Schick first appeared on Collected Sounds.
]]>The post Album Review: Vonnegut’s Wife by Circe Link first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Vonnegut’s Wife
Artist: Circe Link
Year/Label: 2010 / BlackWings Multimedia
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds
I’ve liked Circle Link since I heard the first song on her first record. Some of her songs have shown up in my Car CDs too. She has a great bouncy feel to her songs and her voice is a dream. This album, however is quite different and those who kept up with her via email list or website were fairly warned. I for one was excited to hear about the new direction.
I’m always nervous when an artist I already like goes off the beaten track, but in this case I’m all for it. This is harder, darker and more twisted than her previous stuff and I love it. Really.
Her voice growls and swoops to the twangy (yet not alarmingly so) melodies.
The title song is a haunting tune in minor keys.
Hungry Men has some frantic spoken word in layers and it’s making me szchizo trying to hear it all, but it’s cool.
Jazz Noon is slinky and sexy and reminds me of Jill Tracy.
Jesus Drank All the Wine makes me want to dance.
This is a super fun record by a greatly talented lady.
Track Listing
1. Man or Mouse
2. Sex Crime
3. Hit me
4. Vonnegut’s Wife
5. Hard Act to Follow
6. Hungry Men
7. Friends Like You
8. Jazz Nation
9. Bad Taste
10. Jesus Drank all the Wine
11. Something’s Missing
The post Album Review: Vonnegut’s Wife by Circe Link first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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