In House #1700: Hem's Funnel Cloud; New Bob Dylan, Chris Smither

By most accounts, 2006 had already been a busy and successful year for Hem. The New York City-based quartet released the warmly received odds & ends collection No Word From Tom back in February, featuring covers of everything from R.E.M. to the Fountains of Wayne to "Rainy Night in Georgia." Hem returned this week with their third studio effort, Funnel Cloud, an album that sounds, well, like Hem. In other words, it's another slice of gorgeous Countrypolitan pop from the band, at the center of which is the striking voice of Sally Ellyson. While retaining much of the same sound that won them praise for their first two releases, Rabbit Songs and Eveningland, the new album is a bit less deliberate in tempo and a bit less on the country lilt. Still, the songwriting, here encompassing fourteen new originals, is stronger than ever, spotlighting Ellyson's golden voice nicely on songs like "Not California," and "I'll Dream of You Tonight." It's an eloquent, disarming collection from a band that won't be the secret they have been for long.

Hem

In House #1700.
Airdate: 9/7/06
Focus: New release from Hem, Funnel Cloud, plus new music from Bob Dylan, Mark Erelli, and more.

BONUS Audio-
Hem, from Funnel Cloud:
"He Came to Meet Me" (Real stream) and "Not California" (Real stream)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #170