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Saturday, 06 January 2007 15:19

The music's evocative, dreamy, meandering, picturesque.

 

 

 

When you're an unknown, putting 18 songs on a disc-only three of which have words-and then giving them long titles is a gutsy move. "It is what it is," says Hammock's Mark Byrd and Andrew Thompson of their style. The music's evocative, dreamy, meandering, picturesque. When there are vocals, they're gentle, soothingly sung. Unfortunately, my interest wanes without something concrete to hold on to, and though the music on Raising Your Voice (ironic, that, for a disc largely without vocals) is intricate and interesting, I find my mind wandering, my finger on the "next" button. Does the next song have lyrics? Or the next-next? If you're a fan of instrumentals, then this is an amazing album, a work of art, and shouldn't be missed. For the rest of us, it's an intriguing listen, perfect background music for your next dinner party. B+ | Laura Hamlett

RIYL: Death Cab for Cutie