Goodbye Blues

The Hush Sound

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 18, 2008)
• Original Release Date: March 18, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B0012R3DVI
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,263 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It might break your heart to know that The Hush Sound's third album,
Goodbye Blues, almost never existed. Nearing the end of 2006, the
Chicago foursome which formed in the very beginning of 2005 and
released their debut album, So Sudden, in October of the same year
was on the verge of bidding each other and their band adieu. They had
just released their sophomore effort, Like Vines (which has sold over
60,000 copies to date), through Pete Wentz's Decaydance imprint
on label Fueled By Ramen, but thankfully had embarked on a sold-out headlining tour which came to its pinnacle during a packed show at
Philadelphia's Theater of the Living Arts. Suddenly the band realized
that people cared, and then, even more importantly, that they did too.
Once we did the headlining tour, we realized there were all these people
coming to see us and saying how much they genuinely appreciate the music, says vocalist/pianist Greta Salpeter. We realized that we were part of something greater than all these little problems we had.
Goodbye Blues was actualized over the course of two months in Kevin
Augunas (Cold War Kids) North Hollywood studio, beginning in September of
2007. The album bridges an expanse between invitingly catchy pop buoyancy
and a certain emotional and intellectual depth The Hush Sound has never
fully explored before. Standout tracks like Medicine Man , Honey and
Hurricane reveal not only the group s new sense of maturity, but their
burgeoning skill for sculpting emotive, relatable songs that exist not just
as moments of music but as, what Greta sees as little pieces of art.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Took a minute, but it took., March 19, 2008

By	Joshua D. Beachy "sydney carton" (Sullivan, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Okay, I know this may sounds weird, because it seems from what I hear from the few people I know who have listened to the Hush Sound Greta Salpeter is the main reason people listen to this band, but I always prefered the songs where Robert Morris is in the lead. So how annoyed was I when, rather than a mostly even split (as in Like Vines), Goodbye Blues takes five tracks before Morris gets the spotlight. I was hoping for a strategy similar to Straylight Run's The Needles The Space, as both bands have a very similar sound. I was so annoyed by this fact that I stopped listening to the CDs proclaiming, "I guess they forgot they have two singers!"
When I was working last night, while I was folding laundry, I put the album on and I couldn't help but love it. Greta's voice is amazing as usual, but even more so than normal; and when Morris does get his songs, it's just as good or better than the songs that made me fall in love with this band. I was so pleased with my second-impression that I went in for a third. It was then that I realized that these are some of the best songs they're written, despite the lack of vocal variety. It flows so beautifully from the intro to the final song that to try to point out standout songs seems wrong. It is a cohevise piece of art, which is a rare find these days, and what's more, it is certainly not more of the same. There are so few bands to compare this sound to that, unlike many of the bands on Fueled by Ramen, you feel like you're actually listening to something original and heartfelt.
In short, since I'm sure my complaint is a rare one, any returning fans should be beyond pleased and if you haven't checked out this band you better jump on the bandwagon now (no pun intended. . .well, maybe a little pun).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent third album, March 19, 2008

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Chicago-based the Hush Sound issued a little noticed debut album "So Sudden" in 2005 and subsequently was 'discovered' by Panic! at the Disco. In 2006 the ush Sound delivered a truly outstanding second album "Like Vines", which was in my Top 10 Albums of that year. After the band almost imploded and disbanded in late 2006, they thankfully decided to plow on, and now finally comes the follow-up album.

On "Goodbye Blues" (13 tracks, 40 min.), band leaders Greta Salpeter (piano and lead vocals) and Robert Morris (guitar, occasional lead vocals) continue the pattern of the first album, which is to say: primarily piano-fronted poppy and upbeat tracks (reminiscent of the now defunct band Think England), with an underlying smatter of jazz and even cabaret (check the short "Intro"). The first half of the album is clearly the stronger one, with the 1-2-3 punch of (first radio single) "Honey", followed by "Medicine Man" and "The Boys Are Too Refined". After that, "Hurricane" is a slower, pensive track. "As You Cry" finishes the first half of the album, and is the first track where Morris takes lead vocals. I rate the album's first half a strong 4.5 stars. After a short instrumental, the second half of the album gets going with a great "Molasses" and "That's Okay", but then loses the way a bit. "Love You Much Better" misfires and plain sounds out of place, "Hospital Bed Cral" is unremarkable but closer "Break the Sky" is a nice way to finish the album, and in a sense summarizes the album perfectly. I rate the second half of the album 3.5 stars.

I have had the chance to see the Hush Sound on tour several times when they were supporting "Like Vines", and each time was absolutely delighted with the show. I can't wait to see how the songs from "Goodbye Blues" will translate in a live setting. Meanwhile, "Goodbye Blues" is an excellent release for the Hush Sound.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, innovative pop, May 14, 2009

By	Martin H. Franzen "music writer" (Maple Shade, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Found the Hush Sound by accident two years ago and had to buy every CD by the band. It is hard to believe that radio ignores quality music like this and concentrates on lightweight R&B and X-rated rap. If more people knew about groups like this, the music industry wouldn't be in such a downward spiral. Fast songs, slow songs, different time signatures, it's all here to enjoy, with both male and female vocalists.