Experimental folk at its best....

Artist: Half Handed Cloud
Album: Halos and Lassos
Label: Asthmatic Kitty Records
Length: 19 songs, 29 minutes
Reviewed by: Jeff Krause

John Ringhofer is a genius.  Fans of HHC's music already know that, but if you are not yet a fan, you need to hear this album.  With all the attention that HHC label mate Sufjan Stevens received this past year, its hopeful that those who have not already been exposed to the wonder that is Half Handed Cloud may be exposed to him this year. 

Ringhofer succeeds with Halos and Lassos where may artists and bands fail.  Simply melodies give way to even more simple song structure, played in a stripped down manner throughout.  While the album seems to be a continuation of "Thy Is a Word...", there is something about the album that stands out in Ringhofer's approach of a song.  The songs are solid in and of themselves, without flashy production tricks or overkill.  With the album recorded primarily with the use of only an acoustic guitar, banjo, Casio keyboard, and a drum machine, Ringhofer takes recording to a simple place, but makes it work well with what he sings about.

Lyrically, Halos and Lassos is much like previous outings.  He takes on Biblical themes like getting kicked out of the garden (on the opening track "Earth Outside of Ghost Will Only Be Quicksand"), to songs of love for our Creator.  In all, he does it boldly, yet does not write in a manner that is formulaic or cliché. 

Serving as trombonist on Sufjan Stevens' "Illinois" tour last year will hopefully have brought more attention to HHC, a band that undoubtedly needs to be heard to be appreciated.