by Trebor » Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:59 am
Through The Devil Softly is a great follow-up to Bavarian Fruit Bread but still a little disappointing. With other Hope Sandoval albums, I always felt a sense of progression from the previous release but not so with this one - it feels more like a slight backwards step. Although the material itself is up to her usual standards there is, unfortunately, one filler track (quite rare for a Hope Sandoval release).
Everytime I listen to Trouble, I'm always reminded of Jism by Tindersticks. It's also interesting to learn that this is the only (and possibly first) band credited track. Personally, I would have preferred this 'jam' as a b-side, as it affects the overall quality of the album. I also found Satellite a bit awkward at first but have grown to really love it. And what happened to the experimental / MBV-esque flourishes that made On the Low, Around My Smile and Lose Me On the Way so wonderful?
Through The Devil Softly is still a brilliant album but it's also her first release that has left me a little unsatisfied - to me, it could have been a tad better.
Personal favourites: Wild Roses, Lady Jessica and Sam, and Blue Bird.