When I found out that my most favorite band ever, The Hush Sound, was going on hiatus, I was CRUSHED. If Anthropologie was summed up in a soundtrack, it would be The Hush Sound (or at least their sophomore album, Like Vines). My favorite musician from the band, Greta Salpeter, announced that she would be putting out her own solo project, and I was pretty skeptical. I was even more skeptical upon reading an interview of hers, in which she described her new project's music as being better and ~minty~ (How could you do that to the boys, Greta, you ungrateful wench!). Anyways, she's gone and surprised me by coming out with a pretty baller album, Summer House (Greta, you absolute darling you!).
She's got a new band, Gold Motel, and it's rather grand. As much as I originally wanted to look upon it in scorn for it not being the gloriousness that is The Hush Sound, I have no choice but to approve entirely of Gold Motel and Summer House, for they are really good.
My roommate and I were both struck by how familiar the music sounds. Like, it is very reminiscent of oldies music, and yet we couldn't put our finger on exactly which songs. But rather than screaming "PLAGIARISM!!!!", I think it evokes a very rich, syrupy (in the best way), golden even ambiance. Yes, every song sounds pretty much the same, but it's the sort of music that you put on for a long road trip, singing every song dramatically with your best friends. In fact, this would be the perfect soundtrack for some indie flick involving a road trip in which two people who originally hate each other fall in love by the end. Just a thought.
Now for Hushies reading this, I'm sure you want to know how this measures up to Salpeter's previous work. The vibe is completely different (though I would say that "Break the Sky" from Goodbye Blues foreshadowed the direction Salpeter is taking). However, there are a couple of songs that sound rather similar to Hush Sound ones. For example, "The Cruel One"'s opening staccato notes on the piano sound, oh almost pretty much the same as those from "We Intertwined" in Like Vines. Also, the lilty beginning of "Who Will I Be Tonight" parallel the opening haunting strains of Goodbye Blues's introduction piece. Both of these new songs are very good, though, so please don't be a hater.
My Favorite Songs:
1) Perfect In My Mind
2) Safe In L.A.
3) Don't Send the Searchlights
4) The Cruel One
Overall rating? Based on my completely arbitrary scale, I give Summer House 8 out 10. It didn't get a 10/10 because I would have liked to hear more vocals from the other performers.
And for your previewing pleasure, music videos from the album!
My Favorite Songs:
1) Perfect In My Mind
2) Safe In L.A.
3) Don't Send the Searchlights
4) The Cruel One
Overall rating? Based on my completely arbitrary scale, I give Summer House 8 out 10. It didn't get a 10/10 because I would have liked to hear more vocals from the other performers.
And for your previewing pleasure, music videos from the album!