Funnel Cloud

Hem delighted fans and newcomers with their debut, Rabbit Songs, and its follow up, Eveningland. The pair could have -- and perhaps should have -- been released as a double-CD set; they sounded that similar to one another. Hem drew inevitable comparisons to the Cowboy Junkies because of Sally Ellyson's laid-back, clear vocal style, and sometimes to 10,000 Maniacs. although the latter never came close musically to this band's quiet power. The sheer gentleness and tenderness of Hem's earlier records were a sure draw, but after two albums the average listener felt as if Hem may have taken their sound as far as it could go. Fortunately, this simply isn't so. Dan Messe (piano, glockenspiel, celeste and harmony vocals) and Gary Maurer (guitar, harmonica, mandolin and harmony vocals) are founding members and the band's two principal songwriters, with guitarist and harmony vocalist Steve Curtis contributing songs as well. This trio looked deep and hard into their sound and came up with something beautifully different, though not so different as to alienate the faithful. Funnel Cloud is a much more lush affair and showcases Ellyson's vocals in an entirely new way. Self-produced, the songs here are of a much wider variety and reveal an entirely new dimension of the trio. While Hem remains committed to acoustic music, the electric guitars, pedal steels, found sounds, and tighter arrangements on Funnel Cloud showcase Ellyson as a passionate singer who perfectly interprets her bandmates lyrics and musical ideas. - All Music Guide