Thomas Hine 'Forgive My Future' - Self-Release

This album finds Thomas Hine playing a whole variety of instruments to give his songs the extra touches that sit behind the voice and guitar structures that they were built from. The album was produced by Steven Hine as was the last album Into The Bottomlands. It follows a similar pattern and develops his sound which is pretty much kept in the family with Sadie Hine joining on Conquistadores. Swedish artist I'm A Kingfisher is the only other guest helping out on Ploughman.

Hine songs have a directness that allows them to be interpreted by the listener and in that he brings enough variety to them to never make them sound too samey. Old Troubles has multi-tracked vocals over a simple tin whistle and harmonium led backing that makes it an immediate standout. Bright Shining Mountains is again delivered with the harmonium and harmonised vocals that underscore the sense of place that alludes to something deeper. Overall the music and production work hand in hand to produce what could loosely be described as folk or perhaps folk-pop due to the memorable hooks that are imbedded in the songs.

I don't think Thomas Hine is expecting his music to exactly change the world, rather it is about changing his world by expressing the music that he has inside. He does this well and the album is full of moments that will connect and make you realise that there is more going on than you might initially expect and that Forgive My Future is worth listening to (online, at the very least). He expresses his self doubt and assessment of his place in the two versions of Dance Harder where the overall message is "must try harder". However in this case I think Hine has done just that.

Thomas Hine 'Into The Bottomlands' Self-Release

A low-key, lo-fi walk through the bottomlands that finds Hine a self-sufficient artist who has written and performed the 16 songs. Produced by Steven Hine the songs are quiet, inward looking and features a wide variety of instruments from just tin whistles on Sargasso Sea to On The Rivers guitars, organ, bass, drums and piano. Whatever Hine feels is right for the song is brought into play to give the song the support it needs. Some songs like the aforementioned Sargasso Sea are short interludes, in this case 16 seconds. Others top the four minuets mark but you don't feel the 52 minuets pass as you are taken into Hine's world and gentle songs. This is folk music for a reflection, down tempo travel songs. Traveling inwards and outwards to explore the possibilities of spaces. This music is pleasant and undemanding yet rewarding if you go with the flow of Hine's voice and songs. This is his third album he has developed his essentially solo music to encompass elements of Americana and folk that draw form elements of his Colorado location and in traveling from that place to places near and far. Because of its nature this is not music that going to come and get you, rather you have to go to it, meet it half way. Find some quiet time and listen but if you're not prepared to do that then it's likely that Thomas Hine will pass you by. But give it time and its endearing tone will sound more fulfilling and it's very nature and subtle interplay will bring you on its introspective journey. Go to www.myspace.com/thomashinelink for track samples, lyrics and information.