Search - Hal :: Hal

Sweet Summer Pop

Nick Fulton | Wellington, New Zealand | 11/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a huge Beach Boys fan, then you will almost certainly dig this band. For a bunch of lads from Ireland, Hal's sound is distinctly American. You could slot this record into a box set of classic albums from the 1960s San Francisco scene and no one would blink twice. Lester Bangs probably wouldn't even notice. It's refreshing to hear a band brave enough to bring back happy, lazy Sunday, summer pop.



Hal's self titled debut attempts to strangle the current rock progression, directing music back to a time when musicians bought love and peace into everyone's living room. There're no songs about shooting, pimps or drugs, just eleven beautifully crafted love songs. The soft melodic lyrics roll off David Allen's tongue effortlessly, and the sweet piercing backing vocals give Hal's sound a definitive edge. I'd love to say something bad about this album; there just isn't anything bad to say. Each song is different from the last, all charming in their own special way, each with the potential to make you suddenly burst into song at any moment. "Satisfied" and "Slow Down (You've Got a Friend)" run slightly repetitively into each other, but its no big deal



As the weather starts to warm up, spin this album, grab a beer and something to smoke and just chill out. When Hal finishes, have your vinyl copies of Crosby, Stills and Nash's 'Renaissance Fare' and Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bookends' ready to spin. You'll have all you need for a afternoon in the sun.

"

Beautiful Music

andrew johnstone | Morrinsville, New Zealand | 06/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Melody, harmony, sophisticated lyric, thoughtfull arrangement. This album is full of great songs. Its uplifting and timeless in the way the best pop music is. Have been playing it for a year and have never tired of it. Favourite track:Worry about the wind."