The Hope 12 - Nude Descending a Staircase - Streetcar Music International

Review by: Jennifer Perkins

The Hope 12 are a difficult and obtuse band. They remind me of a soundtrack to an obscure film at times, one with subtitles even. They are subdued and their CD Nude Descending a Staircase almost seems more like an audible painting than a music CD. A painting that you saw in the museum and didn't really understand, it was over your head, and you have to go home and reference your old Art History text books to understand it. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything to reference for the Hope 12, so much of this CD was lost on me.

The music is very mathy, starts and stops and odd tempo changes. At the same time the whole CD has the feel of Jane's Addiction "Three Days" with whispered words over random sounds and heavy bass lines. Very atmospheric. "Dour, or for Your Love of Dancing" and "Doknment Feure Spriche" both remind me a great deal of the Rhythm of Black Lines, Austin can be just as musically incestuous in sound as any other city.

The CD sounds great. It was recorded in the windy city with Jason Ward, and well worth the trip. On "Sea Plan S" the drums start out in the mix sounding as if they are almost in another room and then suddenly they are brought up front. You could tell the guys were enjoying their visit on this track because the stereotypical Sea and Cake sound of Chicago started to come through in their guitar and bass lines. The male vocals are very buried in the mix, whenever they are there at all. It's almost as if the vocals were meant to be used as another instrument rather than some standout part of the songs that draws people's attention away from the music.

The Hope 12 are more concerned with what they have to say musically rather than verbally and that shows on this CD. They have managed to make a beautiful audible painting with Nude Descending a Staircase. The name of the CD even implies that what lies inside is on the arty side. Full of texture and talent, all the things you notice in good art. This CD is not overbearing, it is quiet subtle and yet still very complicated. Nude Descending a Staircase is unfortunately just a little too complicated for me.

Read where the Hope 12 got their name from here.