Customer Reviews

Jeff Hanson

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

 

 

Yes, Jeff Hanson's (affecting, well-constructed) melodies often bear Elliott Smith's influence, but his arrangements are more chamber-pop and less raw than most of Smith's work. There is not a boring or throwaway track on the album. It takes a bit for some to get over the sound of Hanson's voice - when I left "Son" in my roommate's truck he assumed it was "some chick" - but as unusual as it is, Hanson weilds it well and the listener who gets past the initial shock will be well-rewarded.

I strongly disagree with another reviewer's suggestion that he return to the bland, safe Sunny Day emo he made with MIJ. There aren't many songwriters with this talent for melody, arrangement and lyricism.

This is a terrific album which amply demonstrates both the strength of Jeff Hanson's song writing and his abilities as a vocalist. There is not a track on the album that is filling up space. I think each is a poignant reflection of the turmoil following the end of a relationship. There is strong thematic (lyrical) and musical (particularly in chord progression) consistency throughout, but the album is not repetitive. The melodies are both mellifluous ("Losing a Year" and "Long Overdue") and despairing (Something About). On top of all of this the album is one of the more original pieces of work released in last few years.

I think Jeff Hanson is truly one of the greatest songwriters in music today. His first record "son" is just outstanding, and this new s/t album is even better. I've never heard a voice like jeffs, just beautiful and haunting. Great, great stuff.

Reviewing Jeff's work, most do him an injustice when attempting to compare his output within the framework of contemporary musical language. (ie Elliott Smith). Jeff's work, especially the marvelous self titled effort, weaves much deeper and reaches a much higher level of appreciation when references run deep. Think in terms of the Left Bank's Michael Brown's compositional skills alongside complex contrapuntal harmonies and string arrangements, vocalist Ian Lloyd and guitarist Steve Love's haunting "Love is in Motion" and "Hey France" from the Stories LP "About Us", Ian Matthews delicately woven "Hearts" and "Never Ending" from his "IF You Saw Through My Eyes" LP from 1971 and Emitt Rhodes and his Merry Go Rounds "Live" and "Your a Very Lovely Woman" from 1970 as well as his beautiful bounty as a solo artist with "Emitt Rhodes" and "Farewell to Paradise" from 70 and 71.
Allow Jeff's very unusual vocals to sink in and journey on an adventure to wonderland. A marvelous marvelous piece of work that will be appreciated long into the future and become the classic that it so richly deserves. Highly recomended for everyone who loves to become lost in dreams.........

Another album of blah Elliott Smithy acoustic ballads from the former singer-guitarist of the great 90s emo/indie rock band M.I.J.. I hope he gets sick of wasting his talent on this stuff soon and picks up his electric guitar again.