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 |
digital downloads
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
Robby Krieger - Set The Night on Fire, Living, Dying, And Playing Guitar with The DoorsBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Lida Husik - Interview
Cathal Coughlan - Interview
Rick Wakeman - Interview
Peter Doherty and Frederic Lo - Cavern Club, Liverpool, 27/3/2022
Cliff Richard - Not Fade Away
Simon Bromide - Interview
Candlelight Tribute to Coldplay - Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, 1/4/2022
Wolfgang Flur - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Rupert Wates - For The PeopleBanjo Jen - Fine Line
Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri - The Long Ride Home
Dead South - Easy Listening for Jerks Parts 1 and 2
Bonham-Bullick - Bonham-Bullick
Family - A Song for Me
Loop - Sonancy
Stereophonics - Oochya!
Weather Station - How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars
John Mayall - The Sun is Shining Down
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Adrian P
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Carl Bookstein
Chris O'Toole
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank