Yes, Pete Wentz did sign them, and yes, Patrick Stump produced this album and even sings on one track, but The Hush Sound is not another band trying to cash in on Fall Out Boy craze. Instead, this Chicago quartet (vocalist and guitarist Bob Morris, bassist Chris Faller, drummer Darren Wilson, and vocalist and pianist Gretta Salpeter) combine a wide array of instruments with a nice dose of imagination into an eleven track journey of pure piano pop, known as their Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance debut album, Like Vines. Vines beautifully craft the piano, guitars, drums, trumpets, and trombones into a luscious album that’ll be difficult for you to take out of your CD player.
The album begins with “We Intertwined,” a fun piano romp that features the trumpet and trombone. Gretta’s piano playing is upbeat and in sync with the drumming of Wilson. The next song, “A Dark Congregation,” switches up to Gretta on lead vocals and her vocals during the chorus take you away in a dream state. “Lions Roar” is a catchy tune that begins with a subtle bass line and Bob’s baritone vocals carry the flow. At parts, this song reminds me a Broadway song. “Lighthouse” is a gentle lullaby and Gretta sounds like an angel throughout. “Don’t Wake Me Up” features the aforementioned Stump singing parts of the very buoyant chorus. This song balances the chill verses and loud chorus very well, making this one of the stand out tracks on the album. “Where We Went Wrong” begins slowly with Bob singing over a softly played guitar riff, but midway through the song, it ups the pace and Gretta takes over. “Magnolia” is a swooping piano ballad that pleases the ears. “Wine Red” twists and turns into a delicious pop track that showcases all the talents of the band. “You Are The Moon” begins with the delicate piano playing backing up Gretta’s calm yet chilling vocals. This track closes out the album beautifully and is my favorite track on the entire album.
The production on the album is ace, also. Patrick Stump, along with Sean O’Keefe, did a great job of showcasing the piano in each track without overproducing it and making this album flow freely from start to beginning without any glitches. After a few listens, I decided that I enjoy the tracks that feature Gretta’s voice as my favorite tracks, but the songs with Bob are very catchy and upbeat compared to the ballads and lullabies featuring Gretta. Overall, this is piano pop done very well and I feel that many of you were surprised by the quality of this release. I didn’t expect it to be as good as it is, but the female-male combo vocals are great and the instruments are orchestrated very nicely throughout, making Like Vines one pop album you don’t want to leave out of your summer rotation.
known as their Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance debut album, Like Vines.
::cough:: So Sudden, anyone....
From Hush Sound official bio:
"After being a band for only three months, The Hush Sound recorded their first full-length album, So Sudden, in the spring of 2005. They released their debut album on their own before gaining the interest of Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz (who was urged to listen by Panic! At the Disco’s Ryan Ross) and were signed to his imprint label on Fueled By Ramen, Decaydance Records."
So, yeah, So Sudden wasn't released on FBR/Decaydance.
Originally Posted by The_New_Cancer
Great review. I love this CD.
Oh, and I hate to be rude, and trust me, I'm not trying to be, but it's 'Where We Went Wrong' not 'What Went Wrong'.:)
Haha, you are right, I guess when I was writing the review I just got it mixed up with another song title hah thanks.
"They released their debut album on their own before gaining the interest of Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz (who was urged to listen by Panic! At the Disco’s Ryan Ross) and were signed to his imprint label on Fueled By Ramen, Decaydance Records."
wow. didn't know that. you think you would hear about rare copies then of the album.
well first the hush sound was a guilty pleasure of mine, but now I can safely say I like this band a lot. Like Vines is a very, very good album. Good review too Drew, short but informative enough! You just save your fingers for the bigger job coming up ;)
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