HEM: Eveningland

Hem

Eveningland

© 2003 Waveland Records (011661324022)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

"16 delicate miniatures of melancholy and longing, steadied by piano and pedal steel and liberated by Sally Ellyson's warm September morning of a voice." TIME OUT LONDON (UK)

notes

Less than two years ago, Hem self-released their first album Rabbit Songs. The band outgrew their cult following as critics from Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone and NPR, among many others, praised the debut. The New York Times called them, "one of Manhattan's most promising...bands," and Magnet said, "American music doesn't get any better than this."

In 2003 the band was signed to Dreamworks and recorded their second album for the now defunct major label. This anticipated sophomore recording, Eveningland is out now on Waveland/Rounder Records. Hem will be touring the U.S. beginning in November. Please see reverse for a full schedule.

Recording for Eveningland began at Stratosphere Sound in New York City. Then the band flew to the Slovak Republic to record with the world famous Slovak Radio Orchestra. As bandleader Dan Messé explains, "I cannot imagine a more intense way to begin recording an album. From the moment we landed, the challenges, both musically and technically, were far beyond anything we had encountered before. It was an all-consuming, disorienting and ultimately magical time for us." Co-produced by band mates Dan Messé and Gary Maurer, Eveningland updates the rustic charm of Rabbit Songs by adding lush and textured arrangements to the mix.

Messé admits, "These songs have more of a relationship to the `60s and early `70s. We're all in love with that Countrypolitan sound." The album ranges from the intimate, nostalgic feel of "Pacific Street" and "Receiver" to the bold and lush arrangements of "Firethief" and "Hollow." The result is an album that feels both immediate and timeless.

The eight-piece is establishing themselves as one of the most distinctive and emotionally rewarding bands in American music. Entertainment Weekly described the music as "...beautifully recorded, warm sounding instruments" and described singer Sally Ellyson's voice as possessing "an understated confidence that wows with serene confidence."

reviews

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  • Can't get enough
    author: Eric Anderson

    I stumbled across HEM on an independent radio station a few years ago and I haven't been able to get enough ever since. Fire Thief and The Beautiful Sea are my favorites, but I can lose myself in just about anything Sally Ellyson sings.

  • I can't believe I love this!
    author: Frisco

    Here is a collection of quiet, slow pop music with some kind of 19th century aesthetic, and string orchestra accompaniment. How did I get lost so far from rock and roll?! And why do I not want to go back? Because this is an absolutely beautiful set, which sustains an ethereal mood with the most consistently excellent tunes of any Hem record. Dan Messe is a genius at writing complex, chromatic, yet catchy melodies, and there are other fine writers in the band. Sally Ellyson's voice is an exquisite instrument, perfect for this music. They have created magic here. This is truly unique music in a cookie-cutter age. If it doesn't sound like your thing, you're probably right. But if you are intrigued, try this CD! Just don't play it in your car. You may be lulled to sleep at the wheel.

  • Beautiful, lush, beguiling music
    author: Christiaan Schraepen

    Hem take their melodies at an excruciatingly slow tempo. This is music like a still lake under a windless full moon. Few bands could get away with this without sounding preposterous or downright boring, but they glory in it: lush strings, softly strummed acoustic guitars, pianokeys touched gently, an occasional weeping pedal steel wrapped around melodies of exquisite taste. Sally Ellyson has a voice of near miraculous clarity and uses it to devastating effect. This is music of debilitating beauty. There's nothing quite like it. Get it, you're in for a treat.

  • Super CD ...
    author: karin

    This CD is a total joy to listen to. Smashing vocals and I love the strings.

  • This is a CD you'll never finish listening to
    author: Steve Gilmore

    ....because you'll keep hitting the "Repeat" button to hear each song over and over again. Sally's voice, Dan's words, and great rhythm--a perfect combination!

  • You won’t hear prettier sounds from a woman’s voice.
    author: CHINASKI

    You won’t hear prettier sounds from a woman’s voice than what Ellyson conjures on “Firethief,” the heart-tugging opener on Hem’s sophomore effort Eveningland. There’s something pre-20th century about many of Hem’s tunes; clearly they’re fascinated with the kind of Americana that dates back to when the West was still being won. Eveningland is a quietly impressive, polished album whose charms linger on like the gloaming after a long summer's day.

  • author: CD Baby

    With these sort of 70's-feeling, soft rockish, string backdrops, her soft, breathy voice accompanied by warmly strummed guitar gives you a hint of Cowboy Junkies one minute and something like Carole King the next. The album finds itself reaching in the direction of delicate female pop but the beautiful doses of retro vocabulary make this album something like a hip version of easy listening for the rest of us. With little hints of country twang coloring the sweet, simple and exquisitely clear songwriting, Eveningland is a gorgeous and brilliant collaboration of styles. The perfect late night mellowing tool. This album is a must-hear.

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