No Word From Tom

Hem

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: February 7, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nettwerk Records
• ASIN: B000E1JOT8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,777 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Do you like plaintive, moody, smart country-rock with gorgeous, strong female vocals? Hell, who doesn't? Since the heyday of the Cowboy Junkies or Mazzy Star, no other artist has plowed this fertile field so thoroughly. Hem's third album in their five-year career may be an odds and sods collection of rarities and covers, but it has a real, solid cohesion, thanks to the group's very apt grasp of atmospheric Americana. This is NPR rock at its best; it's tasteful and smart but never too edgy or weird. Their swell cover of "A Rainy Night in Georgia," for instance, is just the sort of song you want to have playing in your convertible as you snake through back roads late at night on an aimless roadtrip. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine interim project from hem, February 25, 2006

By	Roy Earl (Winston-Salem, NC USA) - See all my reviews

It's easy to dismiss an album of covers, demos, outtakes and live tracks when it follows a small body of original, distinctive work.

But that is precisely the reason to embrace No Word From Tom. Hem, an eight-piece collective from Brooklyn, N.Y., has found a way to extend the charm previously exhibited on two acclaimed albums, the folky Rabbit Songs and polished Eveningland.

Perhaps Hem's biggest asset is the exquisite voice of Sally Ellyson. She uses it to elevate memorable compositions by Dan Messe. Live renditions of "Betting on Trains" and "All That I'm Good For" soar as Ellyson takes advantage of slow tempo and fresh arrangements to weave a lush vocal tapestry. She continues to work her magic on "Cincinnati Traveler," which was originally released as an instrumental.

When Ellyson auditioned for the band, she gave Messe a "lullaby tape," featuring a cappella versions of traditional songs. Several of those gems have been re-recorded. Two of them - one with added guitar and harmony vocals - shine here.

Covers include a honky-tonk classic ("Crazy Arms") and an R.E.M. standard ("South Central Rain").

What is appealing about Hem is the band's affection for traditional American music. What is impressive is the band's willingness to experiment by combining traditional themes with contemporary arrangements. The songs on this CD are bits of Americana, enhanced by diverse instrumentation.

Fans of Hem will find this collection enchanting. But those looking for an introduction to the band might do well to pick up one of the full-length studio albums that inspired it.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Celebrating the beauty of music, February 21, 2006

By	Steven C. Berry "scberry" (Edmonds WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You might have shied away from Hem's CDs titled "Rabbit Songs" or "Eveningland" - perhaps you might have expected slow, dull, sleepy music. Hem's music is quiet, but it is melodic, tuneful and uplifting. Sally Ellyson sings clearly, emphasizing each syllable, like a mother singing to her child. She emphasizes the beauty of the music. Instrumentation includes mandolin, pedal steel and violin, occasionally backed by a full orchestra.
"No Word from Tom" is an odds-and-ends collection of live songs, outtakes and cover song. Some of the covers work well - Hem adds a Cowboy Junkies groove to "Rainy Night in Georgia" and they perform a straight delightful country rendition of "Crazy Arms." But, to these ears, Hem's versions of "So. Central Rain (Sorry)" (REM) and "Radiation Vibe" (Fountains of Wayne) lack the urgency of the originals.
If you are new to Hem, I recommend starting with the "Eveningland" CD featuring the uplifting "Dance With Me" or the "Rabbit Songs" CD. But if you are already a Hem listener, you'll appreciate this collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't rave enough about Hem or this particular album....., September 24, 2006

By	Sparky Chick - See all my reviews

I really hate that this band is referred to as country, I do not like the country music of today. It is so contrived and to me sounds like pop music with a twang. Now don't get me wrong, some of thier songs certainly do have a twang, but it is more like that of the country of old...sort of reminicent of Patsy Cline. I like to think of Hem as more of a Progressive Folk band or Americana...but I am tempted not to catagorize them at all. With all that said, I love Hem. Sally Ellyson's voice is hypnotic. This compilation is wonderful as are all of their other works. Every album of their's is absolutely worth buying. If you don't have a lot of extra cash lying about though, I would say get this particular album. Why you ask, because it has a little bit of everything. But you will also have to get rabbit songs as it has Halfacre on it which is not to be missed. I love the arrangement on this album, it seems to just flow like honey from heaven. I am lulled into such a peaceful state listening to song after beautiful song on this thankfully long album. As a little aside, the song titled "ALL THAT I'M GOOD FOR" was written about a dog. When I heard that little tidbit of info, I made it a point to really listen to the lyrics. Sure enought it fits. I started the song on my cd player, grabbed my old hound dog curled up with her and sang the song to her and got teared up a little bit. Ok, now go buy the album and sing to your pets. They and Hem will surely love you for it.