Helene - Heliotrope
by Mark Rowland
published: 29 / 1 / 2009

Label:
Pronoia Records
Format: CD
intro
Agreeable dreamy and country influenced indie rock on fifth album from London-based group, Helene
'Heliotrope' sounds just as you expect it to sound the moment you set eyes on its cover. This is not a bad thing necessarily – sometimes you're just not in the mood for surprises. Helene Dineen and her band create dreamy, country inflected indie that smacks faintly of Mazzy Star and Cat Power at its best. It's nothing new, but it is certainly a pleasant listen – a good record to put on while you work. 'O What a Mess', the second track on the album, is the first to really stick out, a fuller version of 'You Are Free' era Cat Power. 'International Klein Blue' floats along sunnily, but the title track is a bit so close to Mazzy Star's Fade Into You that a plagiarism lawsuit isn't too far around the the corner. That track aside, 'Heliotrope 'manages to create a varied palate of moods with a generally limited genre, from the upbeat jangle of 'Stitches' to the simple folk of 'Brandy' and 'Belle Night'.
Track Listing:-
1 Escalator Carry You to the Stars2 O What a Mess
3 International Klein Blue
4 Heliotrope
5 Stitches
6 Rubber Room
7 Waterlow
8 Come the Dead End
9 Yesterday's Girl
10 Brandy and Belle Night
11 Pills
Label Links:-
http://www.pronoia-records.com/PR/Content/Home.aspx
interviews |
Interview (2006) |
![]() |
Formed out of the ashes of late 90’s indie group the Barefoot Contessa, atmospheric London band Helene have just released their second album 'Routines' which was produced by former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde. Singer Helene Dineen talks to John Clarkson |
reviews |
Routines (2006) |
![]() |
Musically diverse, evocative second album from North London-based band Helene, produced by former Cocteau Twins member Simon Raymonde |
most viewed articles
current edition
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - InterviewJack Frost - As Seen on TV
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
John McKay - Interview
Editorial - July 2025
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Kruder and Dofmeister - Paral-lel 62, Barcelona, 27/4/2025
Skunk Anansie - Old Market, Brighton, 16/5/2025
Yardbirds - Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, 18/4/2025
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboVultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle
Pulp - More
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Little Simz - Lotus
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart