The radio listener's ear is fickle. What crawls out of the woodwork one day can just as quickly and unassumingly become passé. Too often, bands try unsuccessfully to reinvent themselves to fit the mold of what the 18- to 25-year-old demographic is listening to. It's refreshing, then, when you get to listen to an album from a band like Sister Hazel, whose Absolutely, due out October 10, contains the same sound that you remember on the radio (in their case, "All For You" from the 1997 album ...Somewhere More Familiar) and haven't heard since.
The album's lead single, "Mandolin Moon," immediately reminds listeners how their country-fried rock became popular in the first place. Sister Hazel enlists the help of country star Shawn Mullins on the track; his smooth backing vocals are a perfect compliment to the quick, driving guitars that set the song's sunny mood. Similarly, "Shame," a shrug of the shoulders to an ex who can't stop bickering, is one of those songs you can't help but roll your windows down as you drive down an empty road.
Sister Hazel succeeds in the quiet moments, too, showing that southern sensibility has a place in a world where alterna-pop bands mumble their melancholy over underproduced tracks (don't get me wrong, I love that, too). The piano ballad "This Kind of Love" is a determined celebration of romance. "Tear by Tear," the longest song on the album by more than a minute over the others, is a moving commentary on how confusing the world can be, and how relentlessly it continues to turn despite our struggles.
I'm stuck in a market that doesn't even pay much attention to those alterna-pop bands, and so it's hard to imagine that Sister Hazel's album will find a long-term home on any of the shelves at radio stations in my sprawling metropolis. With the exception of "Mandolin Moon," there isn't another "All For You" on the album, but what is there should make the legions of fans that turn out to hear Hazel live (they're never far from the road) giddy, and could even open up the ears of those of us who haven't given them much thought since the turn of the millennium.
Have they done so in this listener's case? Absolutely. Sorry, couldn't help myself.
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Article comments
1 - zenny
Is it better for a band to grow musically or to be content to stay the same for a decade or more?
I was a SH fan in college during the mid-90s, buying their demo-style first tape in a local record store in Gainesville, their home town.
Ten years later, my tastes have evolved. Why hasn't Sister Hazel's sound?
2 - Jeff Martin
From my perspective, zenny, it's that they've had a good sound the whole time. I know bands that have evolved for the better, but there are plenty more that have changed their tune and things have gotten worse.
3 - Amala
Sister Hazel's sound HAS evolved... Take a listen to something off the self-titled album versus something off of LIFT. LIFT had alot of well written beautiful songs that are WAY different from most(if not all) of the stuff off their first album. They're just coming back this time with some of the upbeat fun concert songs. So Sister Hazel's sound has changed, maybe just not the same way as your tastes have...
4 - Michael
Thinking of the evolment of music it is hard to justify artists evolvement in music over the years. An artist who makes music based on what they know and love is one who will evolve with the time over the standards of what is the norm. My question is are you willing to evolve with them?
5 - Mark
Lift was a departure from the upbeat songs on their Masterpieces Fortress and Chasing Daylight. Lift was one that grew on me the more I listened to it.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on Absolutely so much so that I pre-ordered it along with their DVD A Day in the Life. I received it in the mail with an autographed picture of the band. I couldn't wait to give it a listen so I could hear more than the snippets played on the band's website. Absolutely didn't disappoint. Shame and Mandolin Moon are my favorites...but I like every cut on the CD. I've bought CDs because I liked one or two songs before...but Sister Hazel is different. I like every cut! I can't wait to tab these so I can play them on my guitar(s). Thanks SH and come to Phoenix...it's been far too long.
6 - Bdawg
Like most everyone else, I knew SH first from "All For You". I saw them for the first time live at a club across the street from my dorm at FSU knowing none of their other songs. They quickly became my favorite band. They are great musicians and great people putting out music they believe in. You don't find that in many bands. They built their fan base with the help of their record label and the success of "All For You", but have since gained more popularity (and put out a lot more albums) without the label. I have since seen them 10 times live and they never dissappoint. All the great bands have stuck with what works. Sister Hazel is no exception.
7 - Lisa
To ZENNY:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That is the old addage, and I believe it fits for Sister Hazel... they've changed, just maybe not to the way you wanted them to be... however, I wouldn't want them to drift too far from their original form, because they are great the way they are. If you are no longer interested in them, that's your perrogative, but don't dis them... they are a class act.
8 - Ashley M
Sister Hazel has completely evolved. They still have that same good time sound that gives me goosebumps and if they ever did change that part, it would really turn me off to them. I'm totally bias, but I think Ken Block is one of the best singer/song writers ever. I kid not. haha. Sister hazel doesn't fit a mold, the changes they've made have been for the better. If anything I feel like they're having more fun than ever right now and I feel it in the music. They're writing music that is heartfelt, relatable, and truly unique. I'm 18 years old and I was like 6 when they came on to the scene but being from Gainesville and always running into someone who went to school with ken or knows Drew's parents, I grew up with sister hazel. In my opinion their best album is Chasing Daylight but, honestly, they are the only band that every song they write I like. I don't dislike any of it and I listen to them and only them in my car everyday. From Starfish to Champagne High to Where do you go. I guess they are an aquired taste but when you love it, they're like a fine wine.