With his debut album, Hollow, Toronto native Howie Beck has constructed a remarkably rich and melancholy work. Beck put this album together in his bedroom studio, but this is a homespun recording with a lush heart -- and not some lo-fi curiosity. With his unerringly pop-tinged songcraft, swooning (albeit primarily acoustic-based) arrangements, and breathy vocals, Beck often evokes (and matches the feats of) such pensive pop masters as Joe Pernice (the Pernice Brothers) and Elliott Smith -- especially on such blissfully reflective fare as "Maybe I Belong" and "Serves You Right." Hollow is packed to the seams with breathtakingly melodic sleights of hand, and seems to dwell permanently in some gorgeously brokenhearted twilight state. ~ Erik Hage|
Rovi
トロントの自宅ベッドルームから流れ出たウィスパー・ヴォイスがゆらゆらゆらり。よりフォーキーに、ルーツ・ミュージックの旨味を増したエリオット・スミスと言えなくもない、ハウイー・ベックの2作目。制作費を得るため、マイ・カーを売り払ったロンリー・ハートのシンガー・ソングライター。とはいえ、メランコリアの向こうに広がる明るみが愛しい良品。優美なストリングスを交えたオーケストラル・ポップ的色彩も格別。
bounce (C)福田教雄
タワーレコード(2002年01,02月号掲載 (P97))