{Withered Hand}
Is it too soon to declare the first truly great album of 2011? Well, technically Withered Hand's album Good News came in the UK last year, but it's do to release stateside on March 1st via Absolutely Kosher.
From the press statement:
Good News, which follows two well-received EPs that first introduced his compelling lyricism and tremendous command over fragile melodies, was recorded with cult American producer Kramer (Galaxie 500, Low, Daniel Johnston), who contacted him several years ago after hearing his scratchy, home-recorded demos online. The 10-track album was eagerly funded by The Scottish Arts Council, who had previously funded the debuts of Belle and Sebastian and Snow Patrol.
Released in the UK in late 2009 without any coordinated publicity effort, Good News quickly spread through an intense word of mouth, putting Withered Hand on lots of lips from fans and critics to fellow musicians. Mojo awarded the album four stars nearly eight months after its release while The Scotsman declared: "He displays all the tremulous vocal vulnerability of Neil Young in a set of brittle songs which are full of spiritual yearning, questioning and contentment." Meanwhile, a variety of tracks received hefty BBC airplay from the likes of Gideon Coe, Marc Riley, Tom Robinson, Vic Galloway and Rob Da Bank and a handful of live sessions were recorded for BBC Radio Scotland as well as BBC 6Music. In addition, Willson has garnered some rather public endorsements from Jarvis Cocker, The Dodos, Frightened Rabbit and Malcolm Middleton. All of this attention has led to festival invitations, a successful European tour and regular sold out shows throughout London and Scotland alike.
Listen to the album...
Pre-order the album here
