Dusky blues / folk with soulful voice of a promising artist

Dusky blues / folk with soulful voice of a promising artist

Hozier (Deluxe Edition) (Audio CD)

Customer Review

On Andrew Byrne Hozier-I became aware especially through the radio: "Take Me To Church" would now have heard once each. Since then I have read a lot of a native of Ireland, is a singer and just got on the album.

And it did not disappoint me! On this record numerous songs can be found that flatter especially the soulful voice of Hozier that is indeed accompanied by nice Gospel and Blues blooming, but remains clearly in the foreground. The lyrics are very intelligent and creative writing with numerous images and metaphors, and who a little more deals with them, recognize the dark themes that are addressed and are usually accompanied by music.

CD1:
Take Me To Church: "I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of Your Lies / I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife." Impressive opener. Gloomy text, but with a great message behind it, supported by ingenious metaphors and Hoziers powerful voice.

Angel of Death & the Small Codeine Scene: One of my favorite pieces of high earworm potential. Again beautiful songwriting, I particularly like the blues / folk, can be heard here very clearly. For me, definitely a highlight.

Jackie and Wilson: Probably the 'blues-igster' track on this album, in contrast to many songs more upbeat and cheerful, and beautifully accompanied by a gospel choir in the background.

Someone New: Also one of the most cheerful songs: very smooth and easy, even if the text tells of a man who can not with a single woman to be together, but hey, Hozier creates's turn it into a feel-good song.

To Be Alone: ​​Here the singer strikes again in a few darker tones, sings about unrequited love, but also very intelligent and poetic. A song filled me rough energy and harsh voice, definitely one of my favorites.

From Eden: How to Take Me To Church, there are - as the title reveals already - religious allusions, but the melody awakens again a slight feeling, which is caused mainly by the medium tempo and influenced by flamenco guitar and clapping, which in can be heard a little interlude. Another highlight.

In A Week: This is a duet with Karen Cowley, lead singer of the Irish band "Wyvern Lingo". Although the song on the whole sounds peaceful, so a few darker shades are occasionally taken, you be wonderfully integrated into the folk song.

Sedated "Sedated we're nursing on a poison that never Stung". A very impressive song, with wonderful songwriting. The chorus Hozier is again accompanied by a choir, which is very inviting to sing. Again, you get with the full force of his talent.

Work Song: Since Hozier has experimented a bit: The song opens with soulful sums, and later joined by bass and synthesizers, but here the organic feeling is lost under any circumstances. If you listen to this song with headphones, you can totally lose it.

Like Real People Do: After the Blues undertones in 'Work Song', this song makes a trip back to the folk-rail. Very quiet, with easy 'ghostly', atmospheric background voices. "Why were you digging? What did you bury / Before Those hands pulled me from the earth?"

It Will Come Back: Again very high earworm potential, and with the rough, bluesy guitar is again a gloomy tone clearly. Again Hoziers voice clearly in the foreground, and powerful. The song can be smooth compare with an American "Southern Gothic" song, and also one of my favorites.

Foreigner's God: Again a religious theme is broached and again disappointed Hoziers Disagree. The overall picture has the song a bit from the rest of the album, again with some synthesizers and backing vocals. Quite nice, but compared with the other songs on the album is this is a little pale.

Cherry Wine: An acoustic song that was recorded live and not in the studio. One hears nothing but Hoziers voice and the guitar, very atmospheric with beautiful lyrics, a smooth completion of the album.

CD2 (Deluxe Edition):
In The Woods Somewhere: A clear favorite. I particularly like the dark mood that is hervoregrufen especially from the wonderful contrast between the harsh guitars and the soulful voice of Hozier. Again with 'ghostly' undertones, emanating from the choir and the very atmosphere contribute to, as well as the constant progressive rhythm of the guitar and the clapping / tapping that emerges every now and then.

Run: This shows Hozier that his voice also fragile, but can not seem less thin. Initially accompanied only by guitar, the song builds gradually on with background vocals, tambourine, bass and second guitar, but remains rather quiet in general.

Arsonist's Lullabye: One of the first songs that I've heard of Hozier. Once again it will be opened with a buzz and quiet bass before a blues guitar and uses the song to a impressive and powerful gospel piece makes, which is also actively supported by the choir. Later, the piano begins, then what is quietly playing in the background. If the music does not have given an indication, so you can hear the latest on lyrics that Hozier again strikes a serious tone: "Dont you, ever, tame your demons / but always keep them on a leash."

My Love Will Never Die: Another acoustic rehearsed song: The Voice will only quietly accompanied by guitar and piano so well Hoziers voice very well come into its own. Simples, but no less poetic songwriting, a successful second degree.

In summary - a great debut, that's what probably hard to beat in the future, but I am sure that you will often hear from Hozier! Strong buy recommendation.

Playing tips: Take Me To Church, Angel of Death Small & Codeine Scene, Jackie And Wilson, From Eden, Sedated, Arsonist's Lullabye