Hollyhocks is the second album by London based folk rocker Henry Nielsen who is backed by Archie Owen, Emmett Cruddas, Lloyd Haines, Joe Montague, Pandora Haydon and Nick Hitchcock. The album was mixed by Joseph Futak and mastered by Felix Davis.
The album opens with Beginning Of The End the sort of road trip folk rock song that ends up in Bounds Green of all places, this takes us on a trip through his garden and the hopes they have that the friendship might last a few more months.
Little Grey Lies almost has a Lee Marvin gravel voiced narration, about all the things that might be covered in Little Grey Lies in your lives, wandering, meandering guitar and supple backing give this a gentle lilt, recalling a less depressed Sam Baker. Hollyhocks are down at heel reminiscences of the things that drew you together, then flung you apart again, little anxieties, careworn carefully picked guitar accentuate the pain you feel.
Soft As Wool almost feels like a campfire ballad for trying to be a better person to you, despite everything, slow beautiful lap steel and super sparse drumming, like a concerned check in to a friend you feel might be struggling.
Lonesome Life is slow reflective thoughts of someone who can't ever see themselves being in a long-term relationship, not while he still needs to spend all his time listening to 1970's singer songwriters, the more obscure the better this is like a sober Nick Garry with some of the pathos of Jimmy Campbell.
Brief Outline of his plans to the man he dreamed of being, making sophisticated easy listening 70's infused folk rock, chiming guitars and super gentle backing vocals help conjure up a neo-Southgate valley version of the Laurel Canyon sound.
Gillian (Mind Over Matter) is Henry's love letter to the wonder of hearing Gillian Welch live, or on record, he’s in love with her precision and that incredibly powerful voice. The Way barely their vocals, full of hope that maybe you will accept his love and spend some time with him enjoying sparse country rock and walks in the park, you might want to give in to such mandolin picking like this.
The album closes with Dream Of You that might have stolen part of its tune off Chas & Dave, but takes it in a different direction, heartfelt words of love and appreciation might break down your will, allowing Henry's dreams to become reality.
Find out more at https://ffm.to/hollyhocks https://henrynielsen.bandcamp.com/album/hollyhocks https://www.facebook.com/henrynielsenmusic
