LADYGUNN REVIEWS : THE HUNDRED IN THE HANDS / RED NIGHT

THE HUNDRED IN THE HANDS / RED NIGHT
Warp Records (2012)
review/ LOGAN BRENDT
I’m always looking for new music from emerging bands to really strike my fascination. It’s not often I’m impressed. With Red Night, the second album by The Hundred in the Hands, I’m definitely impressed. Instantly you’ll be reminded of the Siouxsie Sioux type enchantment when you hear singer Eleanore Everdell’s vocals, due to some degree of distortion. There are also times where her voice falls more in the range of Nina Persson of The Cardigans. Though, it’s not to be lost that Everdell’s vocals are special and unique unto their own. There is something so delightful about her that you can’t pinpoint at all.
When people talk about “haunting” and “enchanting” music, a lot of the times it’s a whole lot of whooshing vocals camouflaged in the music. The Hundred in the Hands produce more than that. With electronic-pop, attractive vocals and catchy choruses like on the songs “Come With Me” and “Keep It Low”, this album has risen above satisfactory. Even with the more minimalist downtempo songs like the title track that instrumentally recalls images of forest and fog, it has an interesting beat that fans of Bjork’s “Hunter” would like.
With The Hundred in the Hands’ minimalist approach to music partly generated by the band’s guitarist and programmer Jason Friedman, Red Night still carries the excitement that a lot of bands only think they’ve achieved. For the heartbroken, love affair types, there are plenty of lyrics for you on Red Night. With what sounds like the lyrics “you’re always breaking my heart” on the song “Faded”, it seems it would be appropriate to play in the background of love games everywhere, while “Stay The Night” is pleading with desire.
The Hundred in the Hands have created one of the most outstanding albums for the first half of 2012 with Red Night. At least it’s untangled my boredom.