Customer Reviews

Hollow Of Morning

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

 

 

Here's another great record from Gemma Hayes. I've enjoyed all of her previous outings. It's criminal that neither this new one nor the stunning The Roads Don't Love You are available through a domestic label. The masses should be feeding on these spare, tender songs. Excellent organic pop with feeling. Highly recommended to fans of Stina Nordenstam, Nina Persson, and Sam Phillips.

Until a couple weeks ago, I couldn't even tell you who Gemma Hayes was. Which given the sound of this CD is pretty unbelievable, because this sort of music accounts for at least 70 percent my listening. I find Gemma's sound a wonderful blend of Maria Taylor and Holly Brooks that's familiar but uniquely hers. Looking forward to getting to know this artist better...

If you know gemma and like her music, buy this CD!! You will not be disappointed.

Very acoustic just like the first album, "Night on My Side." This will probably be her signature style, especially since she seems to be on her own pretty much for making the CD. Most lyrics are still fresh and very meaningful. Sometimes the acoustic tends to put me to sleep because I tend to like production more. This Is What You Do could probably use something to flavor it up more if you aren't big on acoustic sounds. The sound even tends to get somewhat repetitive, maybe a bit too much unless you are in the right mood. Chasing Dragons is very similar, but the words catch me more. It could be about going on your own path. January 14th is particularly short and even more repetitive. It's short letter doesn't really hit me as needing to be so short. In Over My Head is a bit more moving than some of the other songs, but is too similar to Jan. 14 in that there's not enough description in the song. I'm wishing these shorter songs were longer with more flair, and I'm reminded of the fact that I think this album needs more than 10 songs, especially since the last one is instrumental. Under a Canopy, even though short on top of instrumental, does end off the album on a somewhat daunting, questionable frustration.

Out of My Hands is my favorite. Some production and upbeat, and beautiful lyrics about how some things are just not in your control no matter what you do. You just have to go with the flow sometimes.

Home is melodious enough and slow, yet soothing. It's simply about home being a special place that one cannot replace.

Don't Forget throws in a guitar riff similar to sounds we heard from her 2nd album, The Roads Don't Love You, reminiscent of Undercover mostly, and Happy Sad and Two Steps not so much. The lyrics feel like they are searching to point out that one needs to appreciate what is in front of them, but it is too vague to really know where it is going. The ending drum rhythm is a small new nuance for her to add in! Sad Old Song is about people who leave you without letting you know. It is a hard listen even though well fitting with it's repetitiveness. At this point, I get tired of hearing too many repetitive sounding songs on the album. If you can't relate to the idea of people intentionally losing communication and hence a connection with you through an awkward silence, you have lead an overly privileged life. You really need a strong ear to withstand the rawness of emotion and acoustic sounds so characteristic of much of Hayes's work.

Constant Speed has flute and some production. It deals with getting past physical abuse and moving on. Naturally the song is the same rhythm the entire time, with sounds changing enough to try to make it more interesting at 6:10.

You certainly can't go wrong to buy this album. Lyrics are included in the booklet, at least for the UK version.

without those impossible lips, that Irish aw-shuckishness, those doe eyes, that smidge of self-deprecation...she REALLY is like every other femme (over)crooner out there. and the songs bland along like dull rain.

calling in GOD (aka kevin shields) to lather over Hayes' songs some distorto-dissonance was a cynical move and a half. even if they are "friends" or whathaveyou.

i TRIED so hard to like this on account of i'm a very shallow person hahahahaaha..but sadly she's just another pretty wannabe.

What's Kristin Hersh up to these days?! Anyone know Throwing Muses...Post postmodermusic: the jejune, banal and the halt/lame.

there a a few melodies in there, admittedly--but the affectation (Tory Amos, you have a load to answer for) marks this FAIL...

for the musically clueless only... you might like Maria Taylor's "A Good Start" a bit better if you're suckered here...

cheers, hillary.

The breathy voice suits this style of fuzzy guitar type songs. I hear hints of old 90s bands such as Lush and Mono with a hard to pin down post-alternative almost radio-friendly twist. It works for her without seeming to be too regurgitated content.