Review of Hella - Acoustics EP

Tracking down information about Hella – a twosome recently turned fivesome – isn’t overly difficult, but it is overwhelming due to the number of records they’ve released and the different labels they’ve worked with. For instance, Acoustics isn’t quite brand new. Originally issued as a three-track disc with a limited run of 500 in ’04, half of these recordings were made available before now, and of course became more widely distributed because of the ’05 reissue. Well, no longer does this particular EP rest in the hands of an obscure label since 5 Rue Christine decided to pick this up.

Naturally the trademark Hella sound courses through the veins of these six acoustic renditions of favorites from Hold Your Horse Is (“1-800-Ghost Dance,” “Cafeteria Bananas,” and “Biblical Violence”) and The Devil Isn’t Red (“Women of the 90’s,” “Welcome to the Jungle Baby, Your Gunna Live,” and “The Devil Isn’t Red”). The spazzy, noisy rock songs are as busy as can be, aspiring to levels of technicality that are rarely reached by others, although fans of instrumental wizards Behold…the Arctopus and Orthrelm will surely feel at home. Here, however, the absence of electricity adds a spacious, organic quality to these compositions that only increases their inherent value. And there’s honestly not much else to be said. Acoustics is a great addition to Hella’s discography, plus I find I appreciate them the most in small doses, so this EP is just long enough to provide a sizeable amount of material without overstaying its welcome.

Perhaps just as entertaining visually as they are aurally, one must not overlook Concentration Face/Homeboy either as the DVD portion details Hella’s 2004 tour of Japan. Acoustics is, in much the same way, a nice complement to the band’s lengthier entries that isn’t essential but fairly rewarding – especially for HYHI and TDIR aficionados. Anticipation for their upcoming Ipecac long-player, slated for release in January 2007, is certainly merited.

Release Details

Hella

Acoustics EP

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