Hood - Outside Closer
[Domino]
Published Saturday, 15th January, 2005 at 2:38 PM
Release date: 24th January 2005
Written by Jennifer Coxley
Download: iTunes (UK), 7digital (UK), Amazon (US)
Shortly before the close of 2004, Hood released the highly acclaimed 'The Lost You' EP - an EP which combined Prefuse 73 jitters, jangly indie riffs and Hood's majestic way with melancholy. Latest album 'Closer Outside', the follow-up to 2001's impressive 'Cold House', thankfully features those same methods of experimentation.
After the stark intro, the new mould of Hood is instantly present complete with their most promising and fresh sound yet. The strings and uptempo, bold chorus of potential single 'The Negatives' is an obvious highlight, and along with 'The Lost You', is the best representation of their new, accessible sound. The sadness of old can sometimes still be heard in part, especially on 'Winter 72' with it's dubby undertones - a feeling further enhanced throughout 'Outside Closer', through frosty vocals.
Influences are wide and varied, yet hip-hop marks the most blatant: from the aforementioned Prefuse fixation to the Neptunes beats of 'Any Hopeful Thoughts Arrive', while at the other end of the spectrum, the acoustic performance of 'End Of One Working Train', could soundtrack The Wickerman.
The wait was more than worth it.
8/10
