Bavarian Fruit Bread

 

 

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Hope Sandoval's voice still gives me chills, it is so serene and honest. As good as this album is, it still can't compare(in my opinion) to the first 2 Mazzy star albums.

Her wispy, soft vocals were the biggest highlight of Mazzy Star's smoky pop. But now that that much-missed band is gone, Hope Sandoval sets out as a solo artist, in the enchanting "Bavarian Fruit Bread." If you can't have Mazzy Star, then this is a pretty good alternative.

It opens with an acoustic guitar playing a slow melody, mellow and gently. That tune doesn't change much throughout the opening song "Drop," except that Sandoval begins singing in a moody, dreamy manner after a minute. That pretty much sets the tone for the entire album, except for a few songs -- sweet vocals, languid melodies, and a few chimes thrown in.

Most of the songs that follow are much the same -- mellow, gentle, sad acoustic ballads. A few break the mold, with an electric guitar riff in the smoldering "On The Low," and a distant piano solo in "Baby Let Me." And the final song "Lose Me On The Way" is a brilliant slice of experimental pop, slowly sliding from guitar to synth and haunted-house effects, and then back again.

"Bavarian Fruit Bread" is undoubtedly Sandoval's own effort, despite all the inevitable comparisons to her defunct band. It's prettier, less jazzy, more delicate, and simpler. And taken only on its own, it's still a remarkably pretty piece of indie folkpop.

Some of the acoustic guitar playing is somewhat weak, which becomes even clearer when the electric one enters the scene. It's far too simple. So, for that matter, is the songwriting ("Gonna find all your trouble/Gonna send them away/Gonna make you feel happy/Gonna be what you say"), although the songwriting's simplicity is something of a blessing.

However, the piano, eerie fuzzy synth, and slightly scratchy violin are well done, and add some extra dimension to the pretty little songs. Perhaps the only instrumental flaw is that Sandoval and her band never pick up the tempo. Everything is slow and languid. Why not a few midtempo songs?

But whatever the melodies are, they seem to exist to frame Sandoval's lovely voice. She puts it to good use here, singing as if she were half asleep. "The way you drop/Is like a stone/Making out you're flying/But you've just been thrown," she murmurs in the opening song. While these are very simple, they are also beautiful in their lack of pretension.

Stripped-down songs and airy melodies are at the heart of "Bavarian Fruit Bread," the solo debut by Hope Sandoval. Sweet and languid all around.

..had a hell of a time with the piracy of it off the internet though, reason being is that the first track is not called "Hope"as listed here on Amazon, but is actually named "Drop"

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5.0 out of 5 stars Blissful Lethargy of Swooning Dreams
Listening to this beautiful recording of Hope's gorgeous songs lulls me into a state of serene quietude, unlike anything else in my CD collection. Read more

Published on April 24 2004 by Justin

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy Sorrow
This album is one of the only albums in my life that has moved me to tears by just hearing the music. The lyrics are very touching also. I will love it forever.

Published on Mar 27 2004 by Ty

4.0 out of 5 stars Lazy music for when you've got nothing better to do
With the recent popularity of Norah Jones, I'm surprised Hope Sandoval isn't better known. I'm glad to be in on the secret, though. Read more

Published on Feb 4 2004 by Elliott Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars she's got it going on !!!
anyone who has ever loved the somber, yet sweet music of mazzy star should eat this up just like a hefty piece of bavarian fruit bread. Read more

Published on Dec 23 2003 by Brian R Yandle

5.0 out of 5 stars honestly, the best CD I own
I bought this CD not expecting much. Well, not much more than Mazzy Star, which was one of the best bands of the 1990s. Be warned that this type of music is not for everyone. Read more

Published on Dec 12 2003 by R. Nguyen

4.0 out of 5 stars The best thing since sliced fruit bread.
Most of these reviews are right on. This is a very peacful cd. Definitely a mood cd. One for rainy days, and Sunday mornings with your coffee. Read more

Published on Aug 25 2003 by H3@+h

5.0 out of 5 stars lullaby for the human race
this is very potent music. hope sandoval is a rare gift. not since patsy cline has the world heard such a presence. Read more

Published on April 10 2003 by hashericos

5.0 out of 5 stars "I was enchanted .....There is Hope!"
On the Low, Suzanne, Drop & Charlotte are easily, I mean easily instant classics if the radio was the same as it use to be. Read more

Published on April 2 2003 by Arish

5.0 out of 5 stars "I was enchanted by this release and surprised"
On the Low, Suzanne, Drop & Charlotte are easily, I mean easily instant classics if the radio was the same as it use to be. Read more

Published on April 2 2003 by Arish

4.0 out of 5 stars Gives new meaning to the word "haunting"
This is indeed ethereal music, but not quite in the sense that Enya for instance is ethereal. There is more of a eerie and haunted sound here, but there's exquisite beauty within... Read more

Published on April 1 2003 by Neal C. Reynolds

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