Boo Hiss | THEATH
split [TR-032]
( Tract Records) 2005

This split release from Tract Records begins with a familiar heavy dread droning, like the long walk to unavoidable routine. "Everyday" lasts only 1:09 minutes, where I am left to reflect. .. if only monotony did! Understand, it is not the end of the song itself that I am grateful for. For Doby Watson (who is BooHiss) does spare us the detail of time like some kind of blessing to survive it. In itself, it is a precise statement, well said. We can move on towards the next song only after we first acknowledge the difficult reality that requires much more of life than anyone of beating heart would want give. So then "comfort" is a sweet dream of what could make it all worthwhile. Doby accomplishes these side by side, in a naked honest way, like a somber story unfolding. His acoustic subtlety accompanied by a strong lingering cello immediately transports and encourages affection. He is a sensitive, accurate interpreter of environment and situation, who uses his voice and instruments to convey this readily - without it feeling terse. A talent yet to fully bloom, I suppose some would most probably covet.

THEATH provides a dangerous winding road ... a blur of lights circling, like fireflies captured in a net of fog on a long lonely walk in the dark, stumblingly. A wary echo that is not necessarily hopeless, there is a wish in there, waiting. Wanting. Testing.. . challenging character to form, asking to be surprised, maybe even proved wrong? In order perhaps to break free at long last? Here the two in this split are well juxtaposed, for this mature hand explains the possibilities arrived at from observance and experience. Songs well versed and circular.

I have never experienced an epic'ness like this portrayed with such a replete brevity. Feels like chapter 1 of a story not yet set in stone. All the songs on this split are a thought invoking hum within the truth of struggle in a world of obstacle and devouring insatiable hunger.

Compliments to the perceptions of whomever brought these two gifted aural illustrators together - and to they themselves, their abilities.

:: : hope :: (January of 2006)