NEVER ENDING SKY
Hannah Bethel
“Never Ending Sky” is Hannah
Bethel’s latest release, following 2011’s five-track EP. The
eight tracks on the new project prove that Bethel is truly a force to
be reckoned with in contemporary music.
Bethel’s latest release, following 2011’s five-track EP. The
eight tracks on the new project prove that Bethel is truly a force to
be reckoned with in contemporary music.
She effortlessly blends the strands of
country, folk and pop with hints of Appalachian bluegrass and
Americana. But what is consistent throughout is Bethel’s
sure-footed songwriting and her distinctive, crystal-clear voice.
country, folk and pop with hints of Appalachian bluegrass and
Americana. But what is consistent throughout is Bethel’s
sure-footed songwriting and her distinctive, crystal-clear voice.
She seems to bring out the best in her
co-writers (that on this album include David Myhre, Matt Vrba, Susan
Ruth, Josh Matheny and David Velasquez) while maintaining her own
personality on each song.
co-writers (that on this album include David Myhre, Matt Vrba, Susan
Ruth, Josh Matheny and David Velasquez) while maintaining her own
personality on each song.
Bethel is a storyteller and each song
on the album presents an intriguing tale from the playfully seductive
“You Wanna Be My Man” to “Come Back Down” that starts out
almost as a confiding whisper and grows to a plaintive cry of someone
helplessly watching a loved one in the grip of substance abuse.
“Frigerator” tells the story from the point of view of a person
seeing their relationship gradually cooling: “And now the only
thing turned on in this house / is the frigerator.”
on the album presents an intriguing tale from the playfully seductive
“You Wanna Be My Man” to “Come Back Down” that starts out
almost as a confiding whisper and grows to a plaintive cry of someone
helplessly watching a loved one in the grip of substance abuse.
“Frigerator” tells the story from the point of view of a person
seeing their relationship gradually cooling: “And now the only
thing turned on in this house / is the frigerator.”
Bethel’s voice is allowed to stand
out front-and-center on every track, thanks to co-producer Brennin
Hunt’s skillful hand on the tiller. (Multi-instrumentalist Hunt
also contributes acoustic guitar, ganjo, lap steel, mellotron and
keyboards, as well as background vocals.)
out front-and-center on every track, thanks to co-producer Brennin
Hunt’s skillful hand on the tiller. (Multi-instrumentalist Hunt
also contributes acoustic guitar, ganjo, lap steel, mellotron and
keyboards, as well as background vocals.)
Standout tracks: “The Lie,”
“Frigerator,” “Tumbleweed.”
“Frigerator,” “Tumbleweed.”
CD review by Preshias Harris for Country Music News International Magazine