This is a somewhat confused and confusing record. I don't imagine many people would like everything on it, but if you get the whole way through the album there is a good chance you'll find a tune or two you like. The only problem being is other 8 tunes fall into a variety of other categories from so bland they make Ed Sheeran and James Blunt seem like outre, cutting edge performers, such is their mildly interesting soft psychedelia.
The Soft Hills come from Seattle and the first line of the press release describes them as being "Birdmen Time Travellers" which I assume to mean they steal their musical ideas from through the ages, but of course could mean all sorts of things.
Riding High opens the album and is a statement in beige, colourless washed out bedroom indie that you won't be getting up and dancing to as that would be far too much effort. Aimlessly nodding along might cover it, however.
Sweet Louise however seems to have kicked some life into them as if they have just dropped some acid and come right up. They are awash in Psychedelics like a long lost Viva Saturn outtake: one of the songs I really liked and is worth checking out.
Then they follow it with the comedown of Marigolds and it's more lying in a bed of marigolds than being spanked with a pair of Marigolds. Bland and forgettable easy to fall asleep to.
After that they try to revive matters with Dear Mr Moonlight. I think Mr Moonlight replies to cheer up a bit and have a bit of fun, so it's not bad. But then they excel themselves as we dive into the realms of bland bland bland sitting in a darkened room strung out floating off to nowhere trio of songs that are tough to stay awake listening to. Only in the slightly epic bits of Un do they show some life instead of just nodding again.
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The Gifts You Hide is a real highspot in as much as it has a bit of life and soars out of the mire with some cascading guitars, but that doesn't prepare me for the shock of Mighty River: the album's stand out track and a song that builds and soars in an epic build and crescendo before it fades to noisy dust. It's certainly the song I'm most likely to listen to again on this album.
After that peak the album goes back to its characteristic torpor for the closer, Desert Rose which is not a cover of any other songs of that name unfortunately. I'm afraid I don't really get most of this album. I'd only recommend downloading either Sweet Louise or Mighty River rather than getting the whole album.
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