Album Review: Wrap Me Up In Winter

Hoop’s own description of their work says that it works with ‘with storytelling at its heart’- and as place to start, that’s a pretty good summation of their intent and sound and .Based in Tamaki-Makaurau, this is a 5 piece band of experienced and skilled musicians. A multi- instrumentalist front line of Nick Edgar, Al Baxter and Emily Allen, blends with a rhythm section that is both subtle and dextrous consisting of Rusty Knox and Glenn Coldham.

It’s a heady mix, then. This range of musical breadth fits broadly into Folk and Americana genres, but taking into consideration the range of instrumental skill and the experience of various members there are a number of musical doors that could be available to open.

And open they do. Opening track End Before The Start begins in what might be described as “big sky mode” with a distinctive and emphatic percussion intro that sets up a banjo-driven mid-tempo groove, flavoured with harmonica and slide guitar. It’s an impressive beginning, and by the time Elephant In The Room kicks in, Hoop have shown themselves to be adept songwriters and arrangers. Allen places Violin and Viola lines that work as counter melodies as well as harmonic support and colour, while Edgar and Baxter add a strong vocal presence along with banjo, flute, guitar and harmonica. As might be expected ,subtle surprises and interesting blends abound – as an example, Elephant In The Room has a kind of Paul Kelly lyric flow and melody, but listen for the Peter Buck styled guitar arpeggios, and a really clever violin/ 70’s fuzz-tone electric guitar duet as well.

As might be expected, melody is to the fore, be it vocals, strings, harmonica, flute or any combination thereof. Edgar, Baxter and Allen work effectively as a complementary melodic team. Lyrically there is range of the personal and the introspective as well as songs like Up In Smoke which veers into ‘protest song’ territory. It’s notable indeed how a 21st century take on this lyric approach means for writing in the past tense. Billy Bragg might have sung “it’s all going up in smoke” while Hoops perspective is “it has all gone up in smoke”: that’s quite powerful in a subtle way, and puts this music firmly into a contemporary perspective.

Listen also for some really tidy and sensitive rhythm section work. Throughout the playing on bass and drums is first rate and really deserving of a closer listen – it’s ‘text book’ work in being musically sensitive, supportive and aware of the groove.

A couple of album highlights – Wrap Me Up In Winter sets up a cinematic vibe, big on reverb and space. The song is structured nicely and flows well in terms of dynamics and lyrical shape. Devil’s Choice is the kind of tune that sets a challenge for a band as an ensemble. The song itself has solid bones- you would expect no less at this point- but the proof of the pudding is in the arrangement and delivery. Setting up a song in 5/4 that has genuine groove is no mean feat and the less experienced might sacrifice the effectiveness of one musical element for that. Not this group. This song demonstrates top tier ensemble playing for maximum effect. The touches of flute over the top just give enough of a nod to ‘living in the past’ to be a witty Easter Egg for those who spot it.

Hoop are an intelligent, sensitive and mature ensemble who have an intuitive musical understanding of each other. They also write and arrange music in an accomplished and effective style, and this album will reward multiple listens.