ARTIST: The Hush Sound
LABEL: Fueled By Ramen
RELEASE: March 18, 2008
Piano-driven pop, witty lyrics and intricate vocals, The Hush Sound strays away from their label's stereotypical pop-punk sound to produce a musically, lyrically and vocally mature third album.
With an intro that sounds more like a scratched up 45 than the polish of a recording studio, the band hints at the retro, old-school feel of the album. And rather than starting off slow, Goodbye Blues starts off with a bang. "Honey," the album's first single, is the total package. The upbeat rhythm coupled with a catchy chorus makes it an instant hit - and a great backdrop for vocalist Greta Salpeter. In fact, the entire album appears to be a showcase of Salpeter's incredible vocals while Bob Morris's take a backseat, with him leading on only three tracks while she takes the reins on the rest of the record. Which seems fitting considering the transformation between Like Vines and Goodbye Blues - Salpeter sounds more like a seasoned blues singer than the sweet and innocent voice behind "Wine Red." The broadened passion and depth of her voice transforms it into something soulful - and seemingly out of place coming from Salpeter, a slender, petite 20-year-old.
For those looking for a taste of the old Sound, Morris delivers with "As You Cry," a tune that easily could've been found on either of the band's previous records. It leads into a piano interlude that gives way to "Molasses" which sounds suspiciously like "Honey" - though whether its intentional or not is hard to say. The second half of the album doesn't sound as strong as the first half as it slows down with the exception of "Love You Much Better." Piano pop with a country flare and a chorus that's absolutely impossible to get out of your head, this one will stick with you long after your iTunes moves on.
The last track on the album, "Break The Sky" is hardly going to make you want to dance in your seat, but provides a fitting, if unique ending to a record as the last notes simply drift away. And while it boasts none of the radio-friendly hooks that define summer anthems, Goodbye Blues is a testament to creativity, passion, and the power of a great melody.
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Honey
3. Medicine Man
4. The Boys Are Too Refined
5. Hurricane
6. As You Cry
7. Six (Interlude)
8. Molasses
9. That's Okay
10. Not Your Concern
11. Love You Much Better
12. Hospital Bed Crawl
13. Break The Sky
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