Title: The Trick Is Not Minding
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 26th August 2014
Reviewed By: Millie Manders
Having formed in 2008 it has taken until now for Henrietta to release this, their first full length record due to wishing to fully evolve and nurture their sound before creating songs steeped in that maturity. They bring an all out American Indie sound from Florida, full of broody melancholy and occasional uplift.
I have to be honest here: my computer failed me and for the first few listens I was only hearing half the album, leading me to the belief this was a rather bland and samey effort. Not so. Henrietta appear for all intents and purposes to have poured their souls out in bold and beautiful form into each track, those years of learning curves and musical evolution evident in the finished product that is The Trick Is Not Minding.
The more I listen to this album the more I am discovering quirks: A Spectrum, for example, is in 5/4. Someone who loves music but isn't “musical” per se can still enjoy this track but will feel the difference to a traditional 4/4 or 3/4 song. Its uplifting, bright guitars and dance-like rhythms get you moving but having an almost waltz-like feel because of the interesting time signature chosen. It's a pleasure to listen to a band that is clever, without alienating listeners.
The vocals on this album are filled with passion and emotion: pitch perfect and just enough harmonies throughout. Being a vocalist makes me very picky and I have really enjoyed this. At times it has a throaty quality to it like the early days of Kings of Leon (forget the Sex on Fire crap. I'm talking about when the uniqueness was celebrated). Unafraid to let the emotion crack his voice, Brutus is a perfect track to listen to it uninterrupted. Just guitars and vocals let the solemnity wash over you.
The Trick Is Not Minding feels like a journey. Musically, emotionally and I'm guessing from the lyrics, in part, literally and as with all long roads trodden filled with varying chapters of exploration and discovery.
Both fragility and strength can be found in each song, and Henrietta come out the other side with their integrity intact. They have not moulded their sound in order to please the crowd or create something in order to become popular. Instead they have opted to showcase musical skill, creating decent songs with their own style whilst still being able to sit very comfortably within a chosen genre.
Vacations is what I would call the uplift track on the album. It's a traditional 4/4 song that instantly crashes in, drum stick count in and full band start, vocals coming in hard, bursting through bright lead and distorted rhythm guitars and a bold, distinctive bass line that's clean, simple but has that lovely thickness to it. Lush.
This track suddenly drops off in the middle, leaving just guitars and vocals. Oh the feels…. “And now I know, beauty fades, and loneliness, is what remains” bitter sweetness like a moment of vulnerability amongst the bravado of noise. Just beautiful.
I could go on and give you a run down on each track but I do feel I would be spoiling some surprises. The Trick Is Not Minding was an unexpected rollercoaster that started with uncertainty but ended with the conclusion that I had just had a rare experience sharing Henrietta’s journey: discovery and emotions included.
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