Feines Debütalbum von drei Burschen aus Dublin, erschienen beim
immer verlässlichen Rough Trade-Label. Die hier spielen leicht versponnenen
bis barocken Pop, ganz klar in den 70er Jahren verwurzelt: Westcoast,
Carol King, Todd Rundgren, die fast immer harmony-style gesungenen Vocals
erinnern an ELO, aber auch an zeitgenössische Bands wie Turin Brakes.
Die Melodien zeugen von klassischer Beatles-Schule, und mit My Eyes
Are Sore gibt es auch eine butterweiche Brian Wilson-Extravaganza
zu hören. Arrangiert ist das Ganze recht üppig, mit Orgeln,
Bläsern und Streichern, anstelle handelsüblicher Gitarrensoli
bekommt man bei HAL Trompeten- und Posaunen-Linien geboten. Das Album
ist trotz der schwelgerischen Instrumentierung von eher leichtem Charakter
und wirkt insgesamt auch erstaunlich soulig, weshalb ich an dieser Stelle
gleich noch mal auf Turin Brakes verweisen will. Produziert hat Ian Stanley,
der schon für Lloyd Cole, Tori Amos und Tears For Fears gearbeitet
hat. Ein ebenso unaufgeregtes wie schönes Sommeralbum.
(Glitterhouse)
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Hal are destined to be compared to the Thrills: both groups are from
Ireland; both are purveyors of ultra-hooky, dramatic vocal harmony-drenched
tunes with a West Coat slant; and both are very, very good. Once you get
past the surface comparisons, though, there are enough differences to
reduce the similarities to a happy coincidence. Hal certainly aren't ripping
off the Thrills; there is far too much exuberance and excitement on their
debut album for them to be written off as mere imitators. They lack the
pretension and arch concept of the Thrills; they also have more emotional
depth and a more relaxed feel. Besides, they just might be better anyway.
The first two songs give the Thrills and just about anyone else a serious
run: "What a Lovely Dance" is a chiming mini-epic that encompasses
walls of guitars, humming synthesizers and organs, lyrics about lost mittens
and messed-up hair, spiraling falsetto harmonies, and a totally alive
sound that feels like you have your fingers knuckle deep in a light socket,
and the Edwyn Collins-produced "Play the Hits" is a star-spangled
blast of sunshine and manic energy that is hard to listen to without picturing
Hal racing around like the Monkees on the beach as brothers Dave and Paul
Allen croon and careen through wall of bells, maracas, and Motown guitars.
The rest of the record is no real letdown either, as the Allens' vocals
are a constant treat and the group proves itself equally adept at laid-back
ballads that utilize subtle string arrangements (the aching "Keep
Love As Your Golden Rule," "I Sat Down"); gentle, summery
rockers ("Don't Come Running," the falsetto-drenched "Fools
By Your Side"); and even arena-friendly soft rock ballads (the weighty
"Worry About the Wind," which shows bands like Coldplay that
you can be serious and deep without being boring). Echoes of the Beatles,
Harry Nilsson, the Beach Boys, and Phil Spector are everywhere, and while
those aren't exactly unique or even very interesting reference points
in 2005, Hal again go beyond imitation and use their influences as a good
band should, as guides and not blueprints. Hal really sound like another
in the long line of melodic bands from the British Isles that has been
dazzling music fans since the late '90s -- think Super Furry Animals,
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, and (again, in case you forgot) the Thrills. Add
some American groups like Mercury Rev at their poppiest and a choir-less
Polyphonic Spree, or Canadians like the Heavy Blinkers, and if that list
sounds like your record collection, you shouldn't think twice about adding
Hal. They'll be stuck in your CD player for weeks, guaranteed.
(by Tim Sendra, All
Music Guide)
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