CD Review

Hem’s first two albums, Rabbit Songs and Eveningland, catapulted lead singer Sally Ellyson into the spotlight. Ellyson, who had only sung an occasional lullaby before her work with Hem, proved to be the missing piece to a band that was in need of a not only a lead singer, but one that had the ability to provide a signature to the band members’ creative abilities. Whether it was a song penned by chief songwriter Dan Messe or one of the many traditional ballads that they chose to record, Ellyson’s vocals almost always carried the listener to a dreamlike state that has quickly become Hem’s calling card.

No Word From Tom, an album filled with B-sides, new material, covers, and live recordings, is Hem’s way of saying that it’s more than just a band with a pretty voice. Live tracks such as “Betting on Trains” and a re-arranged “Idle” give a nice glimpse of the band’s fuller and versatile sound while on the road, while a cover of R.E.M’s “South Central Rain” could have been a standout track on either Rabbit Songs or Eveningland.

If you’re new to Hem’s catalog, No Word From Tom is a fine place to start and engage in the magic of a band that promises to be around for a long time.

For more info see: hemmusic.com