| Eveningland | 
 enlarge | Artist: Hem
Label: Rounder / Umgd
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy Used: $4.92
You Save: $13.06 (73%)
New (37) Used (23) from $4.92
Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 13220
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.6 x 0.5
MPN: 613240
UPC: 116613240228
EAN: 0011661324022
ASIN: B0002W4T6M
Release Date: October 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | The Fire Thief | | • | Lucky | | • | Receiver | | • | Redwing | | • | My Fathers Waltz | | • | Hollow | | • | A-Hunting We Will Go | | • | An Easy One | | • | Strays | | • | Cincinnati Traveler | | • | Jackson | | • | Dance with Me | | • | The Beautiful Sea | | • | Eveningland | | • | Pacific Street | | • | Carry Me Home |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
As the eight-piece Brooklyn collective Hem releases their second full-length album, Eveningland, their reputation precedes them as one of the most distinctive and emotionally rewarding bands in American music. Hem's homespun blend of vintage Americana, country/folk and chamber music made its 2002 independently released debut Rabbit Songs a critical success, inviting musical and lyrical comparisons to everyone from Dusty Springfield to Randy Newman to Aaron Copland. On Eveningland, recorded during their brief tenure with the ill-fated Dreamworks label, the band shows how deeply they've matured as musicians and songwriters. Eveningland, produced by Messé and guitarist Gary Maurer, updates the rustic charm of Rabbit Songs as references to bygone folk tunes give way to sonic touchstones from another classic era. "These songs have more of a relationship to the `60s and early `70s. We're all in love with that Countrypolitan sound," Messé says reverently referring to! classics like Ray Charles' Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music, and albums by Glen Campbell and even the Carpenters. Produced by Gary Maurer and Dan Messe.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 the first one must have been REALLY good... December 8, 2004
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
...if folks are at all disappointed by the second. Unlike some of the earlier reviewers I actually bought the CD after hearing their version of "Jackson" on the radio & then found a whole bunch of additionl stuff that I liked. This is one of those CDs that has lived in the changer since it got here, my 12 year old daughter has already memorized big chiunks of songs to sing along, and I am definitely looking for more of their stuff in future. What can one say? Great lead vocals, nice arrangements, good lyrics, go get it.
Lovely, lovely, lovely. April 7, 2005
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
Played in the background, Hem's music generates an afirming but soulful mood, but to be fully appreciated, it is music that must be listened to closely. When you focus on these peaceful, soothing tracks, it's like studying a painting, or reading a book. Each of us will get something different out of the effort, but its quality remains undeniable and its spirit presents itself as timeless. Yes, there is a classic, folksy, southern charm to these tunes, but the music is still appealing to everyone. Buy this album.
Hem takes it even higher... October 12, 2004
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
I must admit, my first reaction to Eveningland was quite similar to the reviewer below - what I heard at first was, most certainly, not the Hem that I had fallen in love with on Rabbit Songs, and I wondered what had happened to the band I knew so well. What? An orchestra? Drums?? It didn't take too many listens, though, to begin to hear what I'm now convinced is one of the most exciting albums of the year. The songwriting is utterly beautiful and filled with a cautious hope, and Sally's voice is, to my ears, measurably stronger and more exciting than on their debut. I don't hear her "covering" anything up, but hear her exploring new territory with real confidence. And I freely confess, it's not that the arrangements never come off as a little odd, but rather that I've quickly learned how rewarding it is to follow Hem to whatever new places they go on Eveningland, odd or not.
This is a rare kind of record: one that sets a bold and beautiful course, and I would recommend it to anyone without hesitation. Hem have something really special here.
And PS: Tracks 9 and 16 are indeed thematically linked, but I see nothing wrong in that (and neither have countless composers who have come before). It's cool, actually, in that it weaves a recognizable thread into the fabric of the album as a whole.
 Too much for me. February 28, 2005
15 out of 23 found this review helpful
I fell in love with Hem's "Rabbit Songs." It is way up on my list of CDs to take with me when I get stranded on a desert island. ;) Coming off of that, "Eveningland" has been a disappointment. I really want to like it. I've tried to listen to it; I wanted to listen to it many times so it'd grow on me, but I just CAN'T. It sounds overprocessed. I don't know why they added the strings in, but they overshadow the wind instruments and, in my opinion, the singer's beautiful voice.
Additionally, I guess I set myself up for a let-down by getting my hands on demo copies of "Beautiful Sea" and "Pacific Street" before getting this album. They instantly became two of my favorite songs--because they didn't have the strings or anything else added in yet; they were completely raw, like the music on "Rabbit Songs." I can't listen to the versions on "Eveningland" without gritting my teeth.
I suppose if this was the first Hem album I'd ever heard, I'd like it a lot. But as the second, I feel like they've taken their music and drowned out the good parts.
I realize that a lot of this is just me, musical purist that I am. But I hope that Hem will eventually continue in the "Rabbit Songs" vein, because I love the rawness of that album as opposed to the polished-ness of "Eveningland."
 Standing on the Rooftops June 30, 2005
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Hem's 2nd full CD "Eveningland" works exquisitely well. The track that mesmerizes me is "Redwing" with its catchy melody that soars into a glorious climax, "We are standing on the rooftops; We are circling like sparrows; We are tiny, we are trembling; Scared of everything but the heart is still a red wing." What a lovely classic track! Josh Rouse whose lovely CD "Nashville" is also stunning guests on harmony vocals on the closer "Carry Me Home" with his voice subtle in the mix, "So me & Jessie, we left Ohio -- left him bleeding on the valley floor, I felt so dirty I could hardly stand it -- carrying Jessie on my back." The blend of voices on the lovely melody is beautifully sad. The opener "The Fire Thief" is also a strong melody with Sally Ellyson's vocals understated, yet holding the spotlight. "Receiver" is also a strong track, wistful with strings. "Jackson" for me is a Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood tune since Johnny & June's version still isn't in my collection, but this Hem rendition softens the edge with a quiet beauty that warrants repeated listening. "Eveningland" is a strong set for this low-key lovely band. Enjoy!
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