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Until the Hunter

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Until the Hunter is the third studio album from Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions. It was released on November 4, 2016 and is their first album since 2009's Through the Devil Softly. It is Hope Sandoval and Colm Ó Cíosóig's first collaboration since the release of Mazzy Star's Seasons of Your Day and My Bloody Valentine's m b v in 2013.

The album features contributions from songwriters Mariee Sioux and Kurt Vile, Jim Putnam of Radar Bros., street musician and multi-instrumentalist Michael Masley, as well as Irish band Dirt Blue Gene, who also appeared on Through the Devil Softly. The album was mixed at Cauldron Studios in Dublin and mastered by Mark Chalecki in Los Angeles.[1]

Background and recording

Until the Hunter is the band's first studio album since Through the Devil Softly (2009). In the years that followed, both Sandoval and Ó Cíosóig resumed touring with their original bands – Mazzy Star and My Bloody Valentine, respectively – with those two bands each releasing their first new studio albums in approximately two decades in 2013, Seasons of Your Day and m b v.[2]

Work began on the album in 2014, with Sandoval and Ó Cíosóig composing new material in Berkeley, California.[2] They later reconvened in Dublin, Ireland to hold recording sessions, where they were joined by Irish band Dirt Blue Gene. This band – which consists of Charles Cullen, Dave Brennan, Al Browne, Mick Whelan and Alan Montgomery[3] – also featured on Through the Devil Softly, and performed as The Warm Inventions' backing band for its corresponding world tour until 2010.[4]

The album was recorded in various locations, including Sandoval's Berkeley residence; as well as an unnamed college and two Martello towers in Dublin,[5] which Ó Cíosóig would rent using Airbnb.[2] The towers' circular shape would enhance the band's recording process, with Ó Cíosóig explaining: "Because of the circular dimensions, the reverb inside died naturally, and it had this curve; it didn't bounce around like a square box. The resonance in the towers suggested sounds that might not have been there. They brought out existing sounds more. If you have parallel walls, the reverb keeps on going, and we had a nice natural decay that let the music just breathe inside it."[5]

The album features several guest musicians, including singer-songwriter Kurt Vile, who Sandoval invited to take part after she heard his music while shopping at a drum store in Dublin.[4] It also features multi-instrumentalist Michael Masley performing gong and nyckelharpa on several tracks. He was asked to contribute to the album after Sandoval encountered him busking outside the BART station in Berkeley. Sandoval has said: "We walked by and heard this beautiful music. And we invited him to come over and play some of his really cool, weird sounds. He basically reinvents instruments. He has this gong, and he drills a hole in the middle of the gong and does all these crazy sounds with it. [...] He has all this weird, crazy stuff that he does to create these amazing sounds, and he tells you, 'You're never gonna hear this sound again. Nobody is going to give you this sound!' You need to Google him now. He'll blow your mind."[5]

Release and promotion

The band first teased the album with the single "Isn't It True" on Record Store Day 2016.[6] Its music video, which was dedicated to Richie Lee of Acetone, was released on April 19.[7] This music video features vintage photographs and clips that the band described as "lost and found memories".[8] A second single, "Let Me Get There", was released on September 23 and featured Kurt Vile. On the same day, the album's track list, artwork and release date was also revealed.[9] A video for the song, directed by Sandoval, was released in early October.[10] "A Wonderful Seed" was released for streaming on Spotify from October 21.[11]

The album was released on November 4 in various formats, including CD, 2× vinyl and digital download. Editions of the album sold at Rough Trade stores in the UK contained a bonus disc featuring the album's two B-sides. They also released a translucent green vinyl edition, which was limited to 700 copies.[12] The band are planning to tour from March 2017.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic(82/100)[13]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
The Arts Desk[15]
The Boston Globe[16]
Consequence of Sound(B)[17]
The Irish Times[18]
musicOMH[19]

Until the Hunter received widespread acclaim from critics upon release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 82, based on 7 reviews.[13] It also holds an aggregate score of 7.5 out of 10 at AnyDecentMusic?, based on 11 reviews.[20]

The Boston Globe praised the album for its atmospherics and production. Writer Maura Johnston singled out "Let Me Get There" for exceptional praise, describing it as a "dreamy [...] seven-plus-minute song that could probably stretch on for double its length and not wear out its welcome."[16] Adam Kivel of Consequence of Sound also complimented its production – specifically in relation to Sandoval's vocals – by writing that the music envelops her vocals in "the many shades of gray between subtle warmth and sighing melancholy."[17] The Line of Best Fit described it an immersive and rewarding record which proved that side projects could be more than "rock star folly", awarding the album 7.5 out of 10.[21] Guy Oddy of The Arts Desk gave the album a perfect score, calling it "a thing of some considerable beauty", and opined: "The [album's] melancholy air often suggests a sultry siren from a David Lynch film fronting a Loaded-era The Velvet Underground with it's brittle and unsettling wistfulness."[15] Tim Sendra of AllMusic praised the album for its diversity, expansive arrangements and the "increased number of catchy songs [compared to the band's previous albums]." He summarized by writing: "Seven years is a long time to wait between albums, but if that's how long it takes to make the album as good as this is, then the wait was worth it."[14]

musicOMH compared Until the Hunter to the work of Sandoval's and Ó Cíosóig's previous bands, contending that it "impresses with the bare minimum from start to finish. How they pack so much emotion and feel into so little is nothing short of magical."[19] BrooklynVegan also compared it to Seasons of Your Day, and suggested that both albums had a timeless quality, explaining: "That contrast between having one foot in the very old and one in the very new is part of why the music remains so essential. [Both albums feel] classic and fresh at the same time."[22]

Accolades

Publication Accolade Year Rank
Rough Trade Albums of the Year 2016
35[23]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Hope Sandoval and Colm Ó Cíosóig, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Into the Trees" 9:03
2."The Peasant"Sandoval4:57
3."A Wonderful Seed" 4:18
4."Let Me Get There" (featuring Kurt Vile) 7:30
5."Day Disguise" 4:51
6."Treasure"
  • Sandoval
  • Charles Cullen
5:53
7."Salt of the Sea" 4:22
8."The Hiking Song" 4:28
9."Isn't It True" 3:05
10."I Took a Sip" 4:04
11."Liquid Lady"
  • Sandoval
  • Ó Cíosóig
  • Dave Brennan
  • Alan Montgomery
6:22
Total length:58:56
Until the Hunter — Rough Trade bonus disc[12]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."That Spider"
  • Sandoval
  • Brennan
4:10
2."She's In the Wall" 3:31
Total length:7:41

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic and the liner notes of Until the Hunter.[3][24]

Template:Multicol-start

Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions

Technical

  • Barry Bödeker — artwork
  • Frank Gironda — management
  • Michael Manning – engineering
  • Reto Peter – engineering

Template:Multicol-break

Additional musicians

  • Dave Brennan – composer, guitars
  • Al Browne – bass
  • Charles Cullen – composer, guitars
  • Michael Masley – gong, nyckelharpa
  • Alan Montgomery – composer
  • Jim Putnam – guitars, engineering
  • Mariee Sioux – vocals, backing vocals
  • Kurt Vile – vocals
  • Mick Whelan – keyboards
  • Ji Young-Moon – cello

Template:Multicol-end

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[25] 47
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] 66
French Albums (SNEP)[27] 193
UK Album Sales (OCC)[28] 85
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[29] 20
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[30] 83
UK Vinyl Albums (OCC)[31] 20
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[32] 14
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[33] 14
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[34] 2
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[35] 25
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[36] 4

Release history

Region Date Format Label Distributor Catalog # Ref.
Worldwide November 4, 2016
Tendril Tales INgrooves TT03 [9]

References

  1. ^ Christopher Roberts (September 23, 2016). "Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions Announce New Album, Share Kurt Vile Collaboration". Under the Radar. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Aidin Vaziri (November 2, 2016). "Hope Sandoval prefers to let the music do the talking". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Media. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Digital booklet". Until the Hunter (liner notes). Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions. London, United Kingdom: Tendril Tales. 2016. TT03. {{cite AV media notes}}: Unknown parameter |titlelink= ignored (|title-link= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b Jordannah Elizabeth (November 4, 2016). "Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval Teams Up With Kurt Vile on Her Latest Album". LA Weekly. Voice Media Group. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Lior Philips (November 1, 2016). "Bringing Back the Magic: A Conversation with Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  6. ^ Brooklyn Vegan Staff (March 9, 2016). "Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval releasing new album, but first a RSD limited 7". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  7. ^ Evan Minsker (April 19, 2016). "Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval Shares "Isn't It True" Video: Watch". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  8. ^ Gregory Adams (April 18, 2016). "Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions "Isn't It True" (video) / "She's in the Wall"". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Matthew Strauss (September 22, 2016). "Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval Announces New Album, Shares New Song With Kurt Vile". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  10. ^ Stephen Thompson (October 3, 2016). "Video: Kurt Vile Joins Hope Sandoval On The Radiant 'Let Me Get There'". NPR. National Public Radio, Inc. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  11. ^ Michelle Geslani (October 24, 2016). "Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions share new song "A Wonderful Seed" – listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Until the Hunter - Rough Trade". Rough Trade. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Reviews for Until the Hunter by Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  14. ^ a b Tim Sendra. "Until the Hunter - Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. TiVo Corporation. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Guy Oddy (October 30, 2016). "CD: Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - Until The Hunter | Reviews, News & Interviews". The Arts Desk. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Maura Johnston (November 3, 2016). "Mazzy Star singer Hope Sandoval delivers an alluring solo album". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, Inc. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  17. ^ a b Adam Kivel (November 1, 2016). "Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions – Until the Hunter". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  18. ^ Siobhan Kane (November 3, 2016). "Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions - Until the Hunter: minimal and modern". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  19. ^ a b Sam Shepard (November 3, 2016). "Hope Sandoval And The Warm Inventions - Until The Hunter | Album Reviews". musicOMH. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  20. ^ "Until the Hunter by Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. PalmerWatson. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  21. ^ Ed Nash (October 26, 2016). "Hope Sandoval's voice sounds as golden as ever on The Warm Inventions' Until The Hunter". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  22. ^ Andrew Sacher (November 4, 2016). "Album Reviews: Hope Sandoval, Tinashe, Jim James & more". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  23. ^ "Albums of the Year". Rough Trade. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  24. ^ "Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions - Until the Hunter | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Rovi. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  25. ^ "Ultratop.be – Hope Sandoval And The Warm Inventions – Until the Hunter" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  26. ^ "Ultratop.be – Hope Sandoval And The Warm Inventions – Until the Hunter" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  27. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes - SNEP (Week 45, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  28. ^ "Official Album Sales Chart Top 100; 4 November 2016 - 10 November 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  29. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  30. ^ "Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100; 4 November 2016 - 10 November 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  31. ^ "Official Vinyl Albums Chart Top 100; 4 November 2016 - 10 November 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  32. ^ "Hope Sandoval Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  33. ^ "Hope Sandoval Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  34. ^ "Hope Sandoval Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  35. ^ "Hope Sandoval Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  36. ^ "Hope Sandoval Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
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