The Hush Sound’s Goodbye Blues
I’m really frustrated with The Hush Sound’s new release Goodbye Blues.
Let me explain: This Chicago quartet is one of my favorite bands. Their debut and sophomore releases – So Sudden and Like Vines – are two of my favorite albums. Now, I expect that bands are going to grow and change and that usually excites me when I get to discover a band’s new vision and maturity. But I feel like the way that THS has grown and evolved with this album is frustrating. I feel like they “evolved” my favorite elements into something that has an entirely different essence.
Now don’t get me wrong here. I think that Greta is amazing, but here’s the thing: in the previous two albums I fell in love with the light haunting vocals that she has which was beautifully contrasted with Bob’s bright strong voice. She was able to command the melody without forcing it. On Goodbye Blues, her vocals have changed a lot and even though it shows an artistic diversity, it really changes the entire style of The Hush Sound. On the “Intro,” her vocals are light but dragging and remind me of a possessed Snow White and again on “That’s Okay” her exaggerated vibrato reminds me of a Disney princess. On the contrary, on “Medicine Man” her vocals are heavy and brash and bring to mind Amanda Ghost and Jewel. Then, keeping with what seems like the vision of the album, on songs like “Honey” and “Molasses” her vocals are loud and strong and have a big-band 1920s flapper feel. “Love You Much Better” hints at this theme as well, but makes me think instead of New Orleans at Disneyland. And the song has a scary resemblance to “I Can Love You Better” by the Dixie Chicks.
“Hurricane” I feel is the song that best combines old THS with this new direction they’ve gone. The feel is haunting and pulls at your soul. Greta’s voice is light and easy, but still mysterious and sorrowful. If there’s one song on Goodbye Blues you listen to, make it this one.
The music seems to stick to The Hush Sound’s signature formula (along with Bob’s vocals). The beat is heavy but the melody dancing and light. On other songs the piano takes over and makes it a smoother, emotion-filled track.
The lyrics have mostly retained their frivolous cynicism. Songs like “As You Cry” decidedly conflict the happy melody with lyrical cruelty.
It’s not that I dislike Goodbye Blues. The thing is that I liked what The Hush Sound was doing. And of course I understand that they’re going to evolve and change as band,
but do they have to change the elements they had already perfected? If you haven’t heard THS before, you might love this album. Or maybe even if you have. But I think the mood of THS has changed and it’s something that I’ll have to get used to as opposed to revel in. For sure though if you haven’t heard THS before, check out their older releases if you’re not into Goodbye Blues
(images from www.myspace.com/thehushsound)
