Creatures Of An Hour
Reviews
Francis D
Reviewed 2011-11-10
Reviewed 2011-11-10
“Creatures of an Hour” Still Corners
Well-written, tightly produced dream pop from London-based quintet. Lead vocalist Tessa Murray creates breathy soundscapes, floating in a swirling synth-saturated atmosphere. Organ is layered in as well, and most songs are backed by the persistent rap of a snare drum. Group founder Greg Hughes wrote all the songs.
— Francis
Recommended: 5, 6, 4, 7, 10 No FCCs detected.
1. (3:11) "Cuckoo" Floating, spacey opener — with very present drums. Reminiscent of psychedelic dream-pop from the 1960s. Extended “La-La-La” harmonies over and over from middle to end of song.
2. (2:06) "Circulars" Title sums up song. Short, circular composition with echoey synths, organ and drums — all in 3/4 time.
3. (3:20) "Endless Summer" Another trip back to the substance-aided dreams of the summers of ‘67 or ‘68. Beautiful vocals. Electric guitar at end.
4. (4:01) "Into the Trees" Mid-tempo tune with nice use of pulsing bass and shimmering guitars in the lead breaks. Catchy. ***
5. (2:53) "The White Season" Exquisite blending of Tessa’s angelic voice, music-box bells, organ, and understated percussion. Best track on CD. ****
6. (4:11) "I Wrote in Blood" Mid-tempo. Mesmerizing, hypnotic, circular melody. Another strong entry. ***
7. (3:33) "The Twilight Hour" More personal feel to this tune. Guitar and bass blended with synth and reverbed vocals. “Heart just skipped a beat, when you looked at me. It was so late — our whispered fate.”
7. (3:33) "Velveteen" 3/4 time again. Languid and brooding at start. Then, the song changes pace and builds — and calliope sound effects are added, like something off the Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers LP. ***
9. (2:14) "Demons" Another throwback to the 1960s. Dreamy, melancholy ballad. Acoustic guitar and spare, breathy vocals. Nicely done.
10. (4:07) "Submarine" Med-fast. Pulsing, pounding bass like tom-toms. Synth effects fly past like a roller coaster ride. Long instrumental trailout. **
Well-written, tightly produced dream pop from London-based quintet. Lead vocalist Tessa Murray creates breathy soundscapes, floating in a swirling synth-saturated atmosphere. Organ is layered in as well, and most songs are backed by the persistent rap of a snare drum. Group founder Greg Hughes wrote all the songs.
— Francis
Recommended: 5, 6, 4, 7, 10 No FCCs detected.
1. (3:11) "Cuckoo" Floating, spacey opener — with very present drums. Reminiscent of psychedelic dream-pop from the 1960s. Extended “La-La-La” harmonies over and over from middle to end of song.
2. (2:06) "Circulars" Title sums up song. Short, circular composition with echoey synths, organ and drums — all in 3/4 time.
3. (3:20) "Endless Summer" Another trip back to the substance-aided dreams of the summers of ‘67 or ‘68. Beautiful vocals. Electric guitar at end.
4. (4:01) "Into the Trees" Mid-tempo tune with nice use of pulsing bass and shimmering guitars in the lead breaks. Catchy. ***
5. (2:53) "The White Season" Exquisite blending of Tessa’s angelic voice, music-box bells, organ, and understated percussion. Best track on CD. ****
6. (4:11) "I Wrote in Blood" Mid-tempo. Mesmerizing, hypnotic, circular melody. Another strong entry. ***
7. (3:33) "The Twilight Hour" More personal feel to this tune. Guitar and bass blended with synth and reverbed vocals. “Heart just skipped a beat, when you looked at me. It was so late — our whispered fate.”
7. (3:33) "Velveteen" 3/4 time again. Languid and brooding at start. Then, the song changes pace and builds — and calliope sound effects are added, like something off the Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers LP. ***
9. (2:14) "Demons" Another throwback to the 1960s. Dreamy, melancholy ballad. Acoustic guitar and spare, breathy vocals. Nicely done.
10. (4:07) "Submarine" Med-fast. Pulsing, pounding bass like tom-toms. Synth effects fly past like a roller coaster ride. Long instrumental trailout. **
Recent airplay
Into The Trees
moodswings — Jul 06, 2017
Submarine
Music Casserole — Jan 02, 2016
Cuckoo
Meow — Jun 10, 2014
The White Season
meow — Jan 17, 2012
The White Season
Time Traveler (Top Indie CDs of 2011) — Jan 13, 2012
Into The Trees
Time Traveler — Jan 06, 2012
Charting
2011-11-20 — 2012-01-22
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jan 22 | 1 |
| Jan 15 | 1 |
| Jan 8 | 2 |
| Jan 1 | 2 |
| Dec 25 | 2 |
| Dec 18 | 1 |
| Dec 11 | 3 |
| Dec 4 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Cuckoo | ||
| 2. | Circulars | ||
| 3. | Endless Summer | ||
| 4. | Into The Trees | ||
| 5. | The White Season | ||
| 6. | I Wrote In Blood | ||
| 7. | The Twilight Hour | ||
| 8. | Velveteen | ||
| 9. | Demons | ||
| 10. | Submarine |