Jesca Hoop: Hunting My Dress (Last Laugh)
Having gained industry exposure via her contact with Tom Waits (as a nanny), songstress Jesca Hoop has released a series of well-regarded albums in the vein of Marissa Nadler, Mirah, and other enchanting folk artists.
Hoop, however, takes a few more chances with her production, and though the songs on this latest album are similar in tone and structure, it has enough differing elements to maintain a sound balance. Hoop’s bewitching sound may be best epitomized by the beautiful harmonized overdubs of “Whispering Light,” the album’s opening track.
Hunting My Dress, which was released in the UK in November, is now available as an imported release and will see a full US release in early 2010.
Animal Collective: Fall Be Kind EP (Domino)
The experimental-folk hype machine that is Animal Collective maintains its prolific level of production with Fall Be Kind, the group’s newest EP that contains five new studio tracks.
Running at nearly 30 minutes, Fall Be Kind gives fans another solid dose of loops, layered vocals, and dense sonic concoctions. Backing bits of “Graze,” the disc’s opener, evoke the atmosphere of a Medieval fair; the second track, “What Would I Want? Sky,” is a seven-minute jam that doesn’t skimp on repetitious layers of vocals, electronics, and effect-heavy guitars that are doled out in differing time signatures.
Fall Be Kind isn’t a bad jumping-off point for Animal Collective, but uninitiated listeners may want to check out this year’s Merriweather Post Pavilion first.
Tags: Animal Collective, Domino, Jesca Hoop, Marissa Nadler, Mirah, Tom Waits