Jeff Hanson - Son

  by Geraint Jones

published: 26 / 3 / 2003

---

A slight (perhaps greater) sense of bewilderment might well be your first impression of Jeff Hanson. Possessing what can only be described as a voice with hermaphroditic quality, once you become accustomed to his distinctive, unusually high pitched voice – imagine for the sake of a simple comparison, listening to an Elliott Smith LP (himself a former Kill Rock Stars recording artist) but played at 45rpm instead of 33 as it should be, then that would provide an idea of Hanson’s intriguing style. His sweetly mellow voice almost falsetto in pitch – unsurprisingly Hanson is a former choirboy – is a deceptively captivating instrument. ‘Son’ was recorded almost entirely solo by Hanson, with the exception of keyboard contributions by Meghan Anzelc (despite the photograph indicating the contrary Hanson doesn’t currently play piano, although he’s since committed to learn the instrument) and was co-produced by Saddle Creek producers Mike and A.J. Mogis (Lullaby For The Working Class) who also produced recent efforts for both the Faint and Bright Eyes. Jeff Hanson’s songs are primarily acoustic, mostly guitar, but it’s on the fewer more expansively arranged songs that he really comes alive – ‘The End Of Everything Known’ and ‘You Are The Reason’ are both masterful examples that lyrically and melodically straddle contrasting emotions like desolation and euphoria with equal aplomb. Some of his more sparsely arranged material may lack such invention and be comparatively less diverting, though that’s only because his best material is so strong. His haunting voice is a rare gem, and might not be to everyone’s taste, but if there’s room in your collection for artists like Nick Drake, Gene Clark or contemporary figures like Elliott Smith and the Pernice Brothers, then Jeff Hanson is definitely worth a go. ‘Son’ is a fine debut that displays much promise for the future and shouldn’t disappoint.

Track Listing:-

1 Hiding Behind the Moon
2 You Are the Reason
3 You and I Alone
4 Laughing at Nothing
5 Some Years Ago
6 As Honest As a Liar Can Be
7 If You Ever Say
8 Just Like Me
9 Everything You Do
10 The End of Everything Known
11 Somedays and Sundays

Label Links:-

http://www.killrockstars.com/
https://www.facebook.com/killrockstarsofficial
https://twitter.com/killrockstars
https://www.youtube.com/user/KillRockStars
http://killrockstars.bandcamp.com/

Post A Comment

---

Comment

Name

your name

Location

ie London, UK

Submit

Check box to submit

Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson

Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart

Malcolm Carter
Marie Hazelwood
Mark Rowland
Nick Dent-Robinson
Nicky Crewe
Nige Nudds
Philamonjaro
Richard Lewis
Shirley Procter
Spencer Robertshaw
Steev Burgess
Steve Kinrade

Steve Miles
Tommy Gunnarsson
Zena Grieg