HILARY SCOTT - review added 17th September 2009
Album Review: Road To Hope (2006)
For fans of: Country Rock... and pop... and acronyms
Hilary Scott is an American singer/songwriter/musician with several releases to her name and, presumably, more on the way. She lists playing the keyboard, guitar and violin amongst her talents.
Joining her on Road To Hope are Bill Adams (acoustic guitar, slide), Michael Bielski (djembe, percussion), Carol Elliot (cello), Matt Griffin (harmonica), Robert Lampe (electric guitar, lap steel), Mike Robertson (bass) and Loyd Warden (drums)
Road To Hope is a mix of Hilary Scott originals and covers. The most famous track on the album is probably 'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen. Shrek really does have a lot to answer for! There are also cuts from Lee Ruth, Patty Griffin and Bob Dylan.
In all fairness, this album is off the bottom of the scale for the types of music we listen to at Rock Realms. It's very light and wishy washy. Hilary mostly has a countrified, Tori Amos inspired voice although, even in recorded form, she hits a few off-key notes. 'Such A Good Friend' actually has international bad notes as she attempts a sort of yodeling. Very odd.
There's not a lot on the album that does anything of excitement for me. It's all okay, very okay in places, but nothing more. I like to think I have a wide range of tastes - anything from Barbra Streisand and The Bee Gees to stuff that'll blow your ears off, but this seems to be off at an uncomfortable tangent somewhere. It's a small step above the best karaoke you'll ever hear, but I certainly wouldn't imagine it hitting the charts or sending Shania Twain fans weak at the knees.
Road To Hope is an über-safe album for unadventurous middle of the road types who hate having their adrenaline levels raised and can't abide music with volume. If you are one of them you'll probably love this. It isn't rock, it wouldn't know rock if one hit it on the forehead. I'm not saying it's bad because it isn't - there is certainly a fair slab of talent on show - but it bores the life out of me.
Check out... Something else...unless you like this sort of thing
Track List:
1. Daydreamer
2. Sugar Bomb
3. Such a Good Friend
4. Loser Blues
5. Hallelujah
6. You Electrify Me
7. Long Ride Home
8. All Along
9. Road to Hope
10. Blessed
11. To Make You Feel My Love
Artist's website(s): Hilary Scott , MySpace
