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: Gown by Jo Hamilton first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Gown
Artist: Jo Hamilton
Year/Label: 2010 / Poseidon Music
[Buy at Amazon]
[Download at Amazon]
Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Jo Hamilton is a singer with roots in Kenya and Jamaica, but she now lives in the U.K. Her new album is a focused and intriguing effort. It’s both dreamy and strong, and she has a splendid voice.
Pick Me Up has a strong energetic tune, and a superb lead vocal that invites comparisons with Björk.
How Beautiful is another song to make you swoon, as Hamilton sings angelically to a rhythmic backdrop. The song steadily rises to an exciting crescendo. She’s really and expressive singer and it shows well here.
All in Adoration sees her muse over a lovely melody.
Think of Me closes the album on a great note, a soft yet urgent melody propelling the gorgeous lead vocal. Jon Cotton plays wine glasses for a unique sound.
It’s an album that deserves to win many adoring fans.
Track Listing
1. Exist (Beyond My Wildest Dreams)
2. Pick Me Up
3. There It Is
4. How Beautiful
5. Deeper (Glorious)
6. Paradise
7. All In Adoration
8. Liatach
9. Mekong Song
10. Winter Is Over
11. Think Of Me
The post Album Review: Gown by Jo Hamilton first appeared on Collected Sounds.
]]>The post Album Review: Fourth, Part One by Deleyaman first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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Album Name: Fourth, Part One
Artist: Deleyaman
Year/Label: 2010 / Equilibrium Music
[Buy at Amazon]
Review by Anna Maria Stjärnell
Deleyaman are an ethereal band with a wealth of influences on this new album.
Singers Beatrice Valantin and Aret Madilian have lovely voices that compliment each other well. They use the duduk, an Armenian wind instrument that gives them a unique sound.
Stay On sees Madilian singing a soft tune and getting to a calm state easily. The song is just gorgeous.
Roses has Valantin softly evoking something like a calmer Dead Can Dance. The melody barely moves, but lingers like smoke in the air.
Jardin sung in French hardly advances the tempo, but has a light rhythm that makes the loveliness acquire an edge. Madlian’s brooding vocals briefly flirt with Brendan Perry’s sorrowful swoon.
Fill my Heart brushes past sort of barely there but is gorgeous also. It has a nice hymn-like quality to it.
A part two of this is promised and will be most welcome.
Track Listing
1. Book of Change
2. Stay On
3. Roses
4. Aravod Luys
5. Be Still
6. Temples
7. Somehow
8. Jardin
9. Fill My Heart
10. Traffic Lights
11. Arev Tibav
The post Album Review: Fourth, Part One by Deleyaman first appeared on Collected Sounds.
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