Blake Hazard
Little Airplane
Kimchee
Moving on from Starhustler, where she performed alongside Juliana Hatfield’s brother Jason (the Don Swayze of rock?), Blake Hazard spent a good while on the road, honing her songwriting and performance skills, which may explain the maturity and profoundity of her solo debut album, Little Airplane. Opening with the marvelously lilting and seducing “Everybody Knows,” Hazard immediately establishes some pretty high standards, and impressively, the remaining songs follow suit, with Hazard’s sure-handed edge dominating and defining the album.
Refusing to stand still, Hazard moves effortlessly from the brightly shimmering title track to the creepy “Paper Stars,” from the twisted electronica of “Glittering” to the singer/songwriter pop that is “Strange Love.” The album’s latter half is somewhat more hushed than its initial run of sprightly melodic outbursts, and it’s arguably the better half, with songs that creep up on you, surround you and pull you in. But there are few if any weak spots on the whole, and Hazard has made a likeable and ever-innovative album that references everyone from Kristin Hersh and Edie Brickell to Air and American Music Club. A beautiful and honest album from a brave and hugely talented artist.
Kimchee Records: http://www.kimcheerecords.com
