Little Hell

City and Colour | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vagrant Records
• ASIN: B004WJREYU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,267 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2011 release, the third solo album from Canadian singer/songwriter Dallas Green AKA City & Colour. Alternately sparse and inviting, intense and delicate, Little Hell shows music fans another side of Green's incredible songwriting skills, and features some of his finest songs to date. Little Hell was recorded earlier this winter at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, ON with producer/engineer/mixer Alex Newport (At The Drive-In, Mars Volta, Death Cab For Cutie).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Devil's Advocate July 29, 2011

By Rachel

Format:MP3 Music

It is generally difficult to determine the inspiration behind a band's choice of name. However, when the lead singer's given name is shared with that of a metropolitan city, and his surname is visually represented in the refracted rays of a prism, City and Colour may have seemed like an uninspired choice. Consequently, it may initially seem that there is little mystery to Canadian-born singer, Dallas Green. However, although Dallas was not at ease with the concept of seeing his true name on album covers, he did not shy away from drawing attention to the personal details of his intriguing life story. As the album title implies, Little Hell weaves a tale of a difficult upbringing, as well as the continued trials of adulthood. He relives the harrowing experiences of his formative years--a time frought with constant struggles to comprehend his sister's mental illness, as well as coexisting family discord.

Throughout the deeply layered tracks, Green gently croons about heavy topics in a soulful and gorgeous tone, sounding very much like counterparts Elliot Smith and Bon Iver. Like them, he has used lyricism and breathtaking melody as a means of distancing himself from the contrasting ugliness of the inner demons that compete for his attention. It's gloomy and pensive, while also flooded with powerful undercurrents of strength and endurance, which prevent the album from crossing over the line into the realm of self-pity. Green exposes flaws and imperfections, while carefully maintaining the equilibrium between reverence and honesty. The resulting product is somewhat shy of a complete purge, while still refusing to tip-toe around topics that are widely considered to be aversive.

Little Hell is a complex and intimate look at life's everyday tragedies--those often silent wars that, depite being undeniably damaging and crippling, fail to grab attention because they are all too easy for outsiders to discredit. The beauty of this album is its ability to accurately capture the heartache that stems from feeling alone in a struggle, while at the same time serving as a catalyst for recovery. Green has created a work that can be appreciated by listeners who have shared similar experiences, individuals who seek greater understanding and empathy for those whose histories are convoluted, and audiences who simply enjoy sincere and consequential music.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this album. You will not regret it. June 13, 2011

By lawlipops

Format:MP3 Music

Dallas Green pours out his heart on this album. His talent is shown through his heart-felt lyrics, outstanding vocals, and the overall composition of the songs. You will see a different side to his life. He sings about his wife's night terrors, his sister's mental health complications, his own assessment of his strengths and weaknesses in relation to his parents. My favourites include Fragile Bird, Little Hell, Hope for Now, O Sister, Grand Optimist, Silver and Gold... okay pretty much every song blows my mind.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy June 15, 2011

By Jon Lee Hart

Format:MP3 Music

If Little Hell chronicles the joy, confusion, and hopelessness that follows us, the album's first track, "We Found Each Other in the Dark," is the hope and promises which begin new love. The song, romantic and waltzy, is a great opener. "The Grand Optimist" blends thoughtful lyrics with a staccato strum. "Little Hell" continues the folk confessional and leads into lead single "Fragile Bird," which is pure blues-rock. "Northern Wind," with it's sparse strings and light production is reminiscent of the sound for which Dallas Green is known and loved. With similar themes and narrative, "O' Sister" may be a sister song to "Fragile Bird." "Hope For Now" is a stunning closer. " Dallas Green sings, "How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own? What if could sing just one song and if might save somebody's life."

Little Hell is complex, heartfelt, and heavy. It is full of vivid imagery and interesting arrangements. While possibly too heavy for an everyday listen, this album is the perfect companion for those dark times.