The Singing Hatchet

Radar Bros.

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 12, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Seethru Broadcasting
• ASIN: B00001X53L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,360 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 1999
Many of these songs begin with the simple scrape of an acoustic guitar or solo piano, but they work their magic over slow-motion time, building to majestic choruses that fade again just as quickly. Singer Jim Putnam has the constricted nasal delivery of Neil Young, and the musical reference points range from early-'70s Pink Floyd to the sadcore sound of Red House Painters. However sweet the melodies, there's always an undercurrent of melancholy that Putnam can't, and patient listeners won't want to, shake. --Keith Moerer

Amazon.com
It's uncanny the way that the Radar Bros. have drawn their sound from early-'70s Pink Floyd albums like Obscured by Clouds and Meddle. And not so much those entire albums, but specific songs from them. The Singing Hatchet sounds like 12 different takes on those back-porch acoustic guitar and piano-laced plodders that dotted the aforementioned releases and were a transition between Floyd's wiggy, acid-drenched, late-'60s lunacy and their high-production epics of the mid- to late '70s. The Radar Bros. have used these songs as an archetype to craft their claustrophobic, laconic, and minor-chord-filled laments. Most of the vocals are double tracked with Pink Floyd-like harmonies and the album's production seemingly places them directly inside your skull. Tunes range from grandiose and somewhat orchestrated to downright depressing. They lope and shuffle like a rheumy mule--with downturned ears, bloodshot eyes, and all--maintaining a constant state of antimomentum that is profoundly mesmerizing. Comfortably numb? You bet. The Singing Hatchet ambles and meanders through the ether like a feverish yet somehow pleasant dream, occasionally stumbling into a nifty chorus every now and then, but mostly just humming a nice tune along the way. --Adem Tepedelen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Languid and Moody 2AM Treasure, January 7, 2000

By A Customer

While much can be made of the hazy Floyd feel of this album, there is more to it. There is a persistent folk/country flavor which reminds me of Acetone and,in a vague way, Will Oldham without the vocal eccentricities and, relatively speaking, fuller arrangements.(okay okay so Jim sounds like Gilmore sometimes!) Also there are some slowcore tricks in the delivery where lines and words are stretched for dramatic effect. In a way, these songs are a post-rock take on blues rock with the mood invoking the feel without ever resorting to obvious blues riffs or delivery. This album crawls and only occasionally swells. It holds together so nicely I am at lost to pick any one song while some are more realized then others. So buy this album if you want smoldering and hazy. A great respite from all those arena rock sounds that claim to be the next greatest thing. This is the real deal. And don't forget to put it on repeat. These songs just get better and better every time I hear them. The Sleeper Album of 99!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best CD I've heard., January 6, 2000

By	Brynjolfur Erlingsson "brynjolfur" (Iceland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got a big shipment of CD's the other day and this was the only title I wasn't sure about...needless to say I've listened to all the other CD's once or twice...because I really didn't want to listen to anything but this album. I was so surprised at the quality of this music. There isn't a bad song on this album.....they're all great...It's so rare to find an album that is this good all the way through! I urge anyone to try this out. It doesn't really matter what kind of music you like...this is something for everyone. Beautifull melodies and good lyrics. I don't know yet if this is the best CD I've ever heard...I have to give it a little more time...but I have a strong feeling this album couldn't be any better.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beauty that gets under your skin, February 12, 2001

By	dean taylor (London, Shoreditch United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

I came around to this album a bit late - reviews led me to believe that it was just another slice of Lo-Fi americana. But please trust me this BEAUTIFUL album is much more than that. On first listening I thought wow this really melodic, but quite dark. On second listening I just thought wow this is really melodic.........

The clincher however came a few days after buying the album, I woke up one morning with a song in my head and couldn't work out where I'd heard it or if it even existed (It was so pure and beautiful - almost like a dream). It was only later in the day when I had the album on again that I realised the song in question did exist 'Find the Hour' was the song in question and I doubt I'll hear a more beautiful song all year long - buy this album.......................