Sister Hazel are currently working on a new album. They’ve released (digitally only) this three song EP in the process, though. I’m not sure if all these songs are going to be on the disc or not. I will say that if this is any example of what the new CD will sound like, it’s likely to be the best album the group have ever done. I like all their music and find a lot of it to be extremely strong. These three songs might be the best ones I’ve ever heard from the group. They have a lot of passion and energy within them. They seem to both stretch the group’s musical boundaries and maintain a sound that is recognizably Sister Hazel. I’d recommend this to long time fans and as an introduction to this great band.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2010 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
All the Love
Coming in with a chirping sort of sound, this rises up to some considerably hard rocking territory. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the harder rocking songs the group has done. There’s a bit of an edge to this that makes me think a little of The Cure. When it drops down to the vocals, though, there’s no question that this is Sister Hazel. This is just an extremely hard rocking tune from them. The chorus is just as catchy as you’d expect, though. I particularly like the guitar solo on this. It’s a great piece of music.
Can’t Fight It
There’s almost a John Mellencamp texture to parts of this – and yet it also reminds me of The Who at times. Still, there’s no question this is Sister Hazel. There’s just a bit of a country edge to it at times, too. Of course, that’s a sound we frequently hear from this group. All in all, this might not rock out as much as the opener, but it’s not a lot mellower. It’s got a lot of classic rock built into it.
My Heart
Perhaps the most typical Sister Hazel cut on show, this is a catchy, classic rock inspired pop rock number. It has a catchy chorus and a great sound. It might be the most typical and purely pop oriented thing here, but it’s not weak by any means.
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