The Hanging Stars have released their fourth album. You'd still expect them to be from the West Coast Of America rather than Walthamstow, but there are marked changes here. The band have quite a reputation in Americana circles, but there is much less of that here.
I'm relieved really because ever since Mumford And Sons, there has been an abundance of people wanting to be linked to Americana to the point where it has lost its soul and appeal. More than wearing a big hat and looking earnest and rustic is needed.
Not that I'd ever accuse The Hanging Stars of that. Their previous albums have been great, but it is hard to separate a band from the pretenders that surround it. Hollow Heart is far more West Coast Gram Parsons, even more modern day Teenage Fanclub and for that there is a wide wide fanbase that will adore the album.
Weep And Whisper shows that you can still use a steel guitar and not be derivative. It is a lovely gentle affair and that description can be made across most of the album. Black Night Life is built on a great Guitar Riff and Hollow Eyes, Hollow Heart edges more towards Psychedelic Folk.
You'd expect a title track like Radio On to be Guitar Pop, it isn't. Instead it is a classic slice of Scots Country Rock, think Dropkick. Rainbows is a fine brooding campfire song. Red Autumn Leaf has Tom Petty overtones with a splendid keyboard riff.
I Don't Want To Feel So Bad Anymore is wonderfully Jangly, again with a hint of Psych Pop in the Guitar Run. You're So Free goes even further into Psych and this direction is really the most interesting departure. Hollow Heart is like an easy listening Comfy Chair and there is a lot to be liked in that.
You can listen to and buy the album here. The physical album is available everywhere. Please try and support an Indie Establishment when you buy.
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