album review: orchard by jess hill

so, let me introduce you to the delightful music of canadian singer-songwriter jess hill today. she's got this low, husky voice (which, alternately, can be high and sweet at other times) that's a bit mesmorizing against her intricately constructed songs - which are, all by themselves, like tiny paintings transformed into sounds.



hailing from vancouver, jess hill isn't the girl you'd go to when you're looking for mindless pop. no - hill, instead, carefully crafts songs that have depth and miles, ones that sometimes even make you work past the beauty to find the emotions lurking within. orchard, her second album (which was released in march), is, in fact, just such a collection of songs. fueled by what appears to be heartache, and, indeed, heartbreak, the album acts somewhat like a diary, giving glimpses into the emotions and mindset of a person and a situation that can't help but evoke a feeling of guilt - guilt in that you know these private things, guilt that you find them utterly compelling and beautiful when they really are painful. but that's also part of the true allure of music - it can be so utterly personal and at the same time, so truly universal. and jess hill seems to have a very firm grasp on the ability to do that, and do it well.

some highlights off of orchard:

* precariously - with just a twinge of bluesy country, this song reminds me of a jellyfish. beautiful, even ethreal at times, and yet utterly stinging. oh, you've been a long time coming/i've been a long time gone

* apple tree - haunting with its echo-y vocals, you can practically feel the yearning and desperation pouring off the words. all things bright will fade/and I'll be there to blame/all through the grey/all of our darkening days/won't bother me/so long as you'll be my apple tree

* one crow calling - practically sunny compared to other songs on the album, if not a bit italian in nature for the tiniest moment, this is actually quite a depressing song. i love how hill can do that with her music: blue eyes crying/a hard rain falling/on the dark heart in my hands/when all hope is gone/i'll linger on

* open letter to my heart - quiet inasmuch as it is deperate, this letter rings so true for anyone who has suffered disappointment and loss. but when the bare bulb shines/know that's my love/and come take my love from me

* and then there's common bird - delicate as it is strong, this song builds and swells with plucky guitars, lovely violins and mournful cellos (it's like a stringed instrument lover's dream). looking at finding the strength to say goodbye, common bird is truly beautiful.

at the end of a year
at the end of some tears
it appears, we've only known
one memorable hello
there in the street
numbered days at our feet
a man putting coins in your hand
we hover and pass
and later at last
i put a small kiss on your cheek
but i'm not even fooling me
with all of this vague secrecy

a common bird sings
for the dawn as it brings
new light to the love she has known
blossoms, they bloom
grow and push through
the soft parts of the ground
one memorable hello
kiss my cheek, but then go
i'm not even fooling me
with all of this vague secrecy
i'm not even fooling me
with all of this vague secrecy

(mp3) common bird by jess hill

check out the video for common bird:

Jess Hill Common Bird from Graeme Morgan on Vimeo.

buy orchard HERE. as a bonus, jess hill also has another album available on her bandcamp site for free! it's called road - go HERE to download it.