Customer Reviews

At the Doorway Again

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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I have been an admirer of Hope Sandoval and David Robacks music for a good while. They made three remarkable albums as Mazzy Star, with another on the way. They have returned to the British indie label that they started out with and things seem encouraging. This EP by Hope, will not disappoint Mazzy fans. Overall the record is more ambient that most Mazzy songs. It has a very calm, relaxing mood to it. Her vocals are lovely...some are effected with delay... and some are very up-close in the mix like on the the great song "Charlotte", which also features the renowed finger-picked guitar stylings of Bert Jansch. From start to finish, I quickly found myself mesmerized by the music...it was interesting to see what types of songs Hope would produce on her own. A very enjoyable EP...I can't wait until the LP comes out... and the new Mazzy Star record too

This has been a long awaited surprise for many Mazzy Star fans. I would have to say that for the Mazzy/Hope fans this album delivers whirlwinds of melancholic melodies (perfect for the true stargazer). But for those not exposed to any other Mazzy Music besides "So Tonight that I Might See" should not expect the upbeat enthusiasm of "Fade into You."
The opening track brings back bits of guitar and bass traces from "Disappear" by Mazzy's last album "Among my Swan," however, there is a much more different tone with very strong "calming affects." This album contains heavily dreamlike vibraphones that reverberate between Hope's lush and childlike vocals. There is even a piano based track that is so organic that you can hear the clicking of what seems to be the foot pedals of the piano. The vocals are much more apparent and clearer in Hope's attempt at a solo career, and the distant Reverb is still there but cut down a bit. This is a must and the full-length album awaits us with open arms.

This has been a long awaited surprise for many Mazzy Star fans. I would have to say that for the Mazzy/Hope fans this album delivers whirlwinds of melancholic melodies (perfect for the true stargazer). But for those not exposed to any other Mazzy Music besides "So Tonight that I Might See" should not expect the upbeat enthusiasm of "Fade into You."
The opening track brings back bits of guitar and bass traces from "Disappear" by Mazzy's last album "Among my Swan," however, there is a much more different tone with very strong "calming affects." This album contains heavily dreamlike vibraphones that reverberate between Hope's lush and childlike vocals. There is even a piano based track that is so organic that you can hear the clicking of what seems to be the foot pedals of the piano. The vocals are much more apparent and clearer in Hope's attempt at a solo career, and the distant Reverb is still there but cut down a bit. This is a must and the full-length album awaits us with open arms.

Hope Sandoval's voice is one of the most pleasant ever recorded, and hence it is easy to keep listening and always wish there were more. Her range is almost anti-diva, but the quality of her tone more than makes up for what others would label a limitation. Her vocal expression is dead-on, for these are her own songs, and the sonic intention is therefore not obscured by her soft notes, sometimes almost whispered.

And these are wonderful songs that easily remind one of rain, but are perhaps better listened to when it is time to be quiet, perhaps when sorting old photographs.

The musical work here is well arranged and expertly executed. All in all a beautiful album of great music.

Gone for a lengthy hiatus, the sensual voice that lives in the body of Hope Sandoval is back--- this time fronting a new outfit known as "the Warm Inventions". Her breathy inflections are at the forefront of this ep, turned way up and swimming in reverb. Makes perfect sense because she's barely murmuring on these songs, her vocals a glorious, steady beacon which stands on a bed of swishing, dream-like guitars. Not unlike the latest offerings of Mojave 3, but less country. It seems the singer is moving a little left of the drugged-down countryness of her peers, and of her other band Mazzy Star, and going straight for drugged-down. A little my bloody valentine for reference, minus the sideways violent distorion, add some Angelo Badalamenti moments, all with her heavenly eyes-down singing on top, and you've got this ep: a great way to end this year and give hope for the proper album next year. No pun intended.