Over the years Hood have evolved from a somewhat inconsistent rock band, to masters of delicate, hazy textures complemented by vocals that are thick with desperation and loneliness. Last years Home Is Where It Hurts was nearly perfect, combining the elements described above with new electronic textures and beats. Coldhouse, although it features guest rapping from Clouddead, is not much of a departure (in form or quality) from their last outing.
I'll admit that I wasn't quite sure how the hip hop influence would translate to their music (not that I don't like hip hop, because I am definitely "down"), I just couldn't picture it working with the delicacy and desperation I had grown so fond of with previous Hood albums. With the first track "The Removed All Trace That Anything Had Ever Happened Here," I wasn't so sure that it did work. It wasn't that I disliked the rapping, it just didn't seem to gel with the rest of the music—it seemed separate somehow. The next track that had rapping in it, "Branches Bare," removed any doubt that remained as to whether the rapping could work. To start off "Branches Bare" is one of the best Hood songs ever written; it has the characteristic piano theme supporting drones of various types subtly desperate vocals—classic Hood! The rapping on it absolutely complements the instrumentation—it isn't rough or overly rhythmic, but is, rather, drawn out in almost a whine—perfection! The next track, "Enemy of Time," is easily the most perfectly delicate Hood song I have ever heard. Soft vocals, strings, picked guitars, along with trumpet drones (at least I think that's what they are) and the loneliest lyrics in the world. Also featured on the album are a couple of more abstract textural/electronic pieces like "The Winter Hit Hard" as well as more straightforward songs like "I Can't Find My Brittle Youth."
Coldhouse is certainly another step in the right direction from a band that has been consistently stepping that way for years. Whatever your conceptions might be of the Hood/Clouddead combination present on the album, put them aside and let me give you my unqualified recommendation.
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