Regular readers of the JLP know that the Montana/MPLS folk duo Storyhill (Chris Cunningham & John Hermanson) is one of my favorite musical acts. I was introduced to them in the mid-90s, and I’ve been a big fan ever since. They’re both exceptionally generous in person and are tremendously gifted musicians.
This week marks the release of Shade of the Trees, their 8th studio album by my count (read my reviews of all their albums here). Recorded live in studio by producer Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Dixie Chicks), it’s a somber, beautiful collection.
Being part of a duo as spare as Storyhill requires a remarkable level of self-surrender. For two musicians as passionate and opinionated as Cunningham & Hermanson, this must be no easy feat. Shade of the Trees is the sound of these two men fully sublimating their music into the identity of Storyhill. In the past, their albums (while often wonderful) had the feel of alternating between a “Chris song” and a “Johnny song”. This release instead sees the two regularly singing in unison, swapping vocal lines, and trading guitar figures. Individual fingerprints are few and far between – this is a disciplined, restrained approach that pays off.
Several songs on the album use potent historical allegories, most notably “Better Angels”, a hymn about America built around a collection of poetic quotes from the Civil War era (the album’s title comes from the dying words of Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson). This all might sound heavy, and it is. The thoughtfulness and weight of the album are immediately evident.
A favorite track of mine is “Caught in a Mess”, a breakup song etched in the language of American tragedies. Chris and Johnny trade off vocals and team up for some truly heartbreaking harmonies. Another standout is “Well of Sorrows”, with its snappy fingerpicking and catchy hooks.
“Avalon”, the haunting opening track starts the album on a sober note. To me, what’s most striking about this song are Cunningham’s careful harmonies. I’m a serious lover of harmony (having grown up on the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel) and I’ve long admired his ability to support a song with his backing vocals. There’s nothing typical about his performance on this song, the way he switches from thirds to fifths to jumping an octave below the melody to amplify that verse’s emotional content. It’s a beautiful recording. (Enjoy a free download: Storyhill: Avalon)
I have only minor criticisms. To my ears, “Town Talks” is a dopey, stupid song. The spare, live aesthetic causes the album to sag a bit in the middle, but this is leavened by the short overall running time (just over 30 minutes). The heavy tone of the songs, especially through the first 6 or 7 tracks is unrelenting, but even that serves to make the warm closer “Pieces of Love” all the more rewarding.
Highly recommended.
Storyhill performing “Dangerous Weapon” and sweating live in studio: