Customer Reviews

Goodbye Blues

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay, I know this may sound 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 them; but I've 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!"
Then I was working last night, folding laundry, and I put the album on and 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).

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.

The interesting thing about The Hush Sound is they almost broke up due to a lack of publicity/press placed on them by record head Decaydance. Ironic considering who some of their label mates are, promotion doesn't appear to be much of an issue. Proving though you got to give things a slight chance before you entirely toss up the towel The Hush Sound embarked on a final tour and after sell out shows and great fan reaction they decided it wasn't time to close the curtain just yet. Thank goodness for that as I truly do believe even being in a shuffle of Panic! at the Disco, Paramore, Gym Class Heroes and Fall Out Boy there could still be room for this great foursome.

Let me place The Hush Sound in perspective to you like this, ok. releasing CD's is somewhat like a dating relationship. A band's debut is one that can be full of infatuation and over looking the flaws because that's where it all begins. The 2nd release from a band is a bit more sobering and the different issues you have with each other begin to get fleshed out. When a band puts out a 3rd CD your relationship is then taken to the next level and you may feel the need to either commit or get out by this time, hopefully gents and ladies it won't be the latter. `Goodbye Blue' is the 3rd release from The Hush Sound prove there is still some romance that can blossom but there is some considerable improvements that CAN STILL be made.

The band's last album `Like Vines' was a fork in the road with both singers contributing on an almost equal number of tracks. Female Vocalist Greta Salpeter is path A while male vocalist Bob Morris is path B. They decided to spend more time and energy walking down the first path, I can tell. The same spunk as well as thoughtfulness that made people sit up and take notice back in their sophomore album is still present and improved upon. The band also relies heavily on the piano, and drums (in particular the bass drum) to create a jazzily bounce which carries through out the entire album.

Now I personally feel there is less Bob just period, he had a very competent voice that allured a great sense of style and his buzzing guitars loomed very imaginative pieces before, he still appears from time-to-time and even offers a guitar solo in leadoff single "Honey". What I really miss is their relying upon each and trade-off of vocals that complemented each other so well is gone. That's what kind of made them `different' in the genre of groups they are not-by-choice thrown into. With the mild exception of "The Boys are too Refined" you won't find any of their cooperation intact. But that's ok I guess because Greta's angelic voice which was once as sweet as nectar as grown more mature and confidence dealing a great amount of vocal range on many of the tracks. Her lower keys also assist in giving the songs some bite and that bounce-feel I mentioned earlier.

There are a handful of songs which stand out beyond the rest such as "Medicine Man", "Honey" and "The Boys are too Refined". When they do decide to slow things down it gives time for them to relax with the amply cool musical interlude "Six" and the dreamy "Hurricane" which made me think of unicorns on the beach. I know strange.

The main problem here is that they don't allow Bob Morris to show up enough, had their two singers exchanged with one another more often accompanied by this much more mature take and very thematic approach they could've easily scored higher on the dance sheet. Let's take all this and sum it up. `Goodbye Blues' is a nice follow-up to `Like Vines' which was hard to top from the start. Funny that they still haven't really received the time of day, considering what label they are stamped on. Perhaps that lack of publicity/promotion that almost caused The Hush Sound to hush for good will be more of a reason to sound louder.

Each individual song is great. I love every one of them. They picked up right where they left off from their previous two CD's. However, the CD's tracking is just plain aweful. What I love most about the first two CDs is how well Bob songs and Greta songs are mixed throughout. This CD, however, is a bunch of Greta songs. One Bob song. An instrumental. A bunch of Bob songs. And then a Greta song. I would have liked to have seen a better mixture. Here is my hint, put the CD in and set your CD player to random. Much better.

I heard the Hush Sound for the first time on Pandora's Regina Spektor station. It was their song "Weeping Willow" from their first album "So Sudden." I immediately fell in love with them and bought the album, then their second album, then this one. I can't get enough of either Bob or Greta. If you're a fan I would definitely check out Bob's new band The Stamps, they maintain more of The Hush Sound's style than Greta's new band Gold Motel. But check them both out anyway :)

I love this third album so much more than the other two. Mainly because the girl (I think her name is Greta?) has finally learned how to sing. Way to go. The other songs where she was featured her voice was thin, reedy, off pitch, annoying and, well, annoying. But whatever she did, it's totally working, because this album is on repeat. It's a little more grownup sounding, which can be bad for bands, but definitely makes the Hush Sound sound a million times better. Buy this album. Right now.

The Hush Sound is back, and they've brought their pure pop goodness with them. Living up to the expectations set by the ridiculously good 'Like Vines' is no easy task, but 'Goodbye Blues' handles it with ease, revealing a darker, more mature Hush Sound. Frustratingly, it's also a Hush Sound that A. is still completely incapable of breaking free of the verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus/coda mold, and B. features extremely little of Bob Morris.

Standout tracks: Hurricane, Honey, Medicine Man

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.

I just can't say enough about the Hush Sound! All the albums are great but if I had to pick one it would probably be Like Vines. This is a great album too but Like Vines is just so awesome! There is a great balance between Greta and Robert being the lead singers and many songs that are "jammable" :)

I have to preface this review by saying that this is an excellent cd. I would recommend it to anybody that is already a fan of The Hush Sound and to those who have yet to hear their music. I think this is a very underated band and more people should know about them.

Anyways, this cd, I think, is the best song writing this band has had to date. The melodies are excellent and most of the songs are very upbeat and catchy. They do stay true to their sound but offer some new twists that I think the fans will like. The first 5 songs are awesome and pull you right into the cd. The cd tapers towards the end, but the songs still have a lot to offer.

The one gripe I have with the cd is that there needs to be A LOT more Bob singing. I was very disappointed that Greta did the majority of the songs. I like her, but Bob needs a lot more cd time. He has an excellent voice and adds so much to the songs he sings that he really needed to do more. So I don't know why this cd changed the balance to Greta, but I hope Bob will return with more songs in the future. Other than the, I think this cd represents some of the best work The Hush Sound has done.