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ARTICLE
Music Review: The Hush Sound, "Like Vines"
by Tony Pascarella Published: June 9, 2006
With all the musical elegance of an elephant, The Hush Sound’s sophomore album, Like Vines, is in your face from the very first second in the most unorthodox of ways. Cool and confident, this Illinois-based five-piece have released the best release we have seen all year out of the Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance family. October Fall, Forgive Durden, and Punchline all fall short of the high-water mark that The Hush Sound has set with this CD. They delicately construct a unique piano-pop album led by the soaring, dueling vocals of Bob Morris and Greta Salpeter.
Gorgeous vocals aside, Greta’s piano playing on the album is superb. From the neoclassical “Lighthouse” that sounds like Rainer Maria on caffeine pills to the pick-me-up vibes of the album’s opener “We Intertwined,” she shines throughout the disc while wearing her multiple hats (she also plays guitar). Possessing something of a deep love for R&B, show tunes, and a range of other influences, the first half of Live Vines is nothing short of spectacular. If this is your introduction to The Hush Sound, consider yourselves now old acquaintances; you will be hooked. The rest of the album does slow down a bit in tempo after track six, titled “Don’t Wake Me Up.” “Wine Red” is the unsung hero of the last five songs. Seductive, yet harsh and upbeat, Greta handles the lead vocals with Bob offering well-time backing vocals as the song charges like a runaway bull. “Out Through the Curtain” plays almost identically to a Sherwood song; if you loved that band’s debut EP, this song will take you way, way back. It is very raw and under-produced with Bob’s simple, emotional vocals fading into a wall of instruments in the second half of the song. One of the best parts of Like Vines are the soundscapes that The Hush Sound create. Instead of a song by itself, they manage to fashion an entire atmosphere to accompany it, giving the album an almost concept feel. It is very easy to listen the entire way through and you will experience the range of emotions that the band wants to portray.
Like Vines does not come up all roses though. Songs like “Magnolia” and “Out Through the Curtain” appear play a bit dull against the shimmering atmosphere that forms around the other tracks on the album. Despite that, Sean O’Keefe (who produced a similar artist in As Tall As Lions) and Fall Out Boy vocalist Patrick Stumph have co-produced one heck of an album. Everything is tightly arranged; whether it is soothing piano melodies, bleating horn sections, or cacophonous drumming—it all appears in just the right spot. I recommend if you are a fan of Sherwood, The Format, or Motion City Soundtrack, you check out this new offering from The Hush Sound. They have dramatically matured musically and have handily avoided the so-called sophomore slump. When the end of this year comes around, Like Vines will be on many critics’ Best of 2006 lists, and for good reason. Add this one to your music collection and you will have a bona-fide gem of an album on your hands.
Track Listing
01. We Intertwined
02. A Dark Congregation
03. Sweet Tangerine
04. Lions Roar
05. Lighthouse
06. Don't Wake Me Up
07. Where We Went Wrong
08. Magnolia
09. Wine Red
10. Out Through the Curtain
11. You Are the Moon
Band/Album Information
Bob Morris (Vocals/Guitar)
Greta Salpeter (Vocals/Piano/Guitar)
Chris Faller (Bass/Vocals)
Darren Wilson (Drums/Vocals)
Producers: Sean O'Keefe and Patrick Stumph
