Customer Reviews

Eveningland

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Played in the background, Hem's music generates an afirming but soulful mood, but to be fully appreciated, it is music that must be listened to closely. When you focus on these peaceful, soothing tracks, it's like studying a painting, or reading a book. Each of us will get something different out of the effort, but its quality remains undeniable and its spirit presents itself as timeless. Yes, there is a classic, folksy, southern charm to these tunes, but the music is still appealing to everyone. Buy this album.

...if folks are at all disappointed by the second. Unlike some of the earlier reviewers I actually bought the CD after hearing their version of "Jackson" on the radio & then found a whole bunch of additionl stuff that I liked. This is one of those CDs that has lived in the changer since it got here, my 12 year old daughter has already memorized big chiunks of songs to sing along, and I am definitely looking for more of their stuff in future. What can one say? Great lead vocals, nice arrangements, good lyrics, go get it.

I must admit, my first reaction to Eveningland was quite similar to the reviewer below - what I heard at first was, most certainly, not the Hem that I had fallen in love with on Rabbit Songs, and I wondered what had happened to the band I knew so well. What? An orchestra? Drums?? It didn't take too many listens, though, to begin to hear what I'm now convinced is one of the most exciting albums of the year. The songwriting is utterly beautiful and filled with a cautious hope, and Sally's voice is, to my ears, measurably stronger and more exciting than on their debut. I don't hear her "covering" anything up, but hear her exploring new territory with real confidence. And I freely confess, it's not that the arrangements never come off as a little odd, but rather that I've quickly learned how rewarding it is to follow Hem to whatever new places they go on Eveningland, odd or not.

This is a rare kind of record: one that sets a bold and beautiful course, and I would recommend it to anyone without hesitation. Hem have something really special here.

And PS: Tracks 9 and 16 are indeed thematically linked, but I see nothing wrong in that (and neither have countless composers who have come before). It's cool, actually, in that it weaves a recognizable thread into the fabric of the album as a whole.

I've waited 4 months to supplement the overall rave (4.5 stars at this writing) this album has received, and I don't compose many reviews (this is my 2d). But I am moved so much by Hem, I had to write.

As with most really good music, you should experience it live, preferably before you've committed to your brain the way it sounds on the recorded end-product. With Hem, that order isn't as crucial (as they don't really tour that much), but securing your access to their music is essential. Many before me comment about how different "Eveningland" is from "Rabbit Songs." Good for all of us -- for the band who wasn't content to stick to "formula" (so how is that a sell-out, as one earlier reviewer crows?) and for those of us paying close enough attention to take notice.

This music is for people who are not just casual consumers of music. It really grabs the hearts and minds of folks for whom music is a staple to their existence. But to see Hem live is to experience musicians who love what they do with so much passion it's almost embarrassing to watch (to wit: those in the band who aren't vocalists are also singing along, or at least mouthing the lyrics of dare-I-say brilliant Dan Messe; what a tribute and testament!).

Also, for those seeking 2002's "Rabbit Songs," (no shame in late discoveries), buy it from their website (www.eveningland.com), instead of paying crazy prices on eBay, etc. It helps support the band more directly. Buy two for that matter, because as someone else has noted, you'll have loaned out one copy fulfilling your role as an evangelista for music that needs, and deserves to be heard (and most likely not on your local radio dial, to be sure). Thanks for reading...

After hearing half acre a few weeks ago and almost immediately after buying rabbit songs, this cd was released. I was about two years late on the HEM bandwagon. Regardless, I held off bying this cd because I wanted to fall totally in love with Rabbit Songs. Needless to say, I broke down today and bought it. It is every bit as solid as Rabbit Songs and every bit as emotionally driven. It sounds like music used to sound when I was a kid, when music had a soul and the words really meant something and years later you would still remember how that music made you feel. Sally Ellyson and a clarinet together are two of the most beautiful sounding things that compliment each other so perfectly on this disc. I have no standout favorite because I just got the disc and have only listed to it twice, but I did get the 'warm fuzzies' that I had when I first heard Half Acre. Good enough for me. Hem is really special, and I am greatful to have discovered them.

I remember hearing "Half Acre" on XPN, and immediately went out and bought "Rabbit Songs". After my purchase, I popped it into my car's CD player, and was immediately taken to another place.

All I needed to hear was Sally Ellyson singing "Lord Blow The Moon Out Please" a cappella to know that this band was really something special.

Hem worked with the Slovakia National Orchestra in the barest of recording studios while recording this CD, but you'll never hear them unless your ears are looking for them. Like "Rabbit Songs", the very subtle nuances of sound and song only make their presence during repeated listenings.

And with "Eveningland", those repeat listenings come very easily.

Oh, and don't cue off the CD player after "Carry Me Home"...if you let the CD run, there's another Sally Ellyson a cappella song.

Hem's 2nd full CD "Eveningland" works exquisitely well. The track that mesmerizes me is "Redwing" with its catchy melody that soars into a glorious climax, "We are standing on the rooftops; We are circling like sparrows; We are tiny, we are trembling; Scared of everything but the heart is still a red wing." What a lovely classic track! Josh Rouse whose lovely CD "Nashville" is also stunning guests on harmony vocals on the closer "Carry Me Home" with his voice subtle in the mix, "So me & Jessie, we left Ohio -- left him bleeding on the valley floor, I felt so dirty I could hardly stand it -- carrying Jessie on my back." The blend of voices on the lovely melody is beautifully sad. The opener "The Fire Thief" is also a strong melody with Sally Ellyson's vocals understated, yet holding the spotlight. "Receiver" is also a strong track, wistful with strings. "Jackson" for me is a Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood tune since Johnny & June's version still isn't in my collection, but this Hem rendition softens the edge with a quiet beauty that warrants repeated listening. "Eveningland" is a strong set for this low-key lovely band. Enjoy!

An album like this is quietly ambitious. It's influences aren't - like so many others - 60s and 70s pop and rock, but something much older and complex. It harkens back to Stephen Foster and Charles Ives and succeeds in creating American music heavily steeped in folklore. At times, all the sweetness and lushness starts to be a bit monotonous - Sally Ellyson, like Natalie Merchant, can only sing one way - but overall the effect of this album is impressive. I'm surprised and ecstatic that someone can make an album like this and get it financed by a record company in this era of bottom line, big profit music. It won't sell a ton and probably won't be played on the radio much, but it deserves a lot of attention. Album after album lands in my mail box screaming louder and and louder to be heard. This one tries to win you over with sweetness. And win you over it does.

Using an orchestra to back your band up has been a bad mistake made by many bands, it almost always sounds like two seperate songs being played on top of one another. But with Hem's new album, they brought in the Slovak National Radio Orchestra to help out with the tracks, and it worked beautifully. The reason this works so well and so many other attempts have failed is that the orchestra uses a great deal of restraint. It never once seems to overpower or disconnect from the band. In fact, I'm sure that many people listening to it may have not even really noticed the orchestra at first. But even when you do notice it, it's because it accents the songs so well. As far as HEM goes, this is just another group of amazing songs from them, and vocalist Sally Ellyson's voice sounds as sweet as ever. All in all, quite a beautiful album.

This album is simply gorgeous... It moves effortlessly from one song to the next, with each new track revealing itself as another gem. The writing is excellent and it sounds as original as it is beautiful, as though real care went into making everything shine just so in the end. Loved their first record, love this as well. Buy it and then buy another copy, cause you will have already loaned the first out by the time the second arrives.