City and Colour // Album Review "The Hurry And The Harm"

“The Hurry And The Harm” is the fourth album from City And Colour, and no doubt the much anticpated follow up to 2011’s “Little Hell”. The ex-Alexisonfire vocalist is reunited once again with his acoustic guitar and back doing what he does best. “The Hurry And The Harm” is an enchanting journey that Dallas Green wants you to join him on...

Opening title track effortlessly flows and Dallas Green’s distinctive echoic vocals glide over the top and set the tone perfectly for the rest of the record. Dallas may have long since left his bleak outlook behind him and this new offering (although melancholic in part) offers the tone of hope and is looking forward. Songs such as “The Lonely Life” are tinged with a tone of sadness, yet are instantly charming. Melodic and acoustic folk at heart, “The Hurry And The Harm” offers a new found diversity from Dallas. “Ladies and Gentlemen” oozes velvety rich tones and is buttery smooth whilst “Paradise” is more contained and stripped back.

Dallas Green’s vocals effortlessly move the album along. Acoustic guitar focused and little else, at first it appears simple but its intricacies are what makes you want to listen time and time again. “Commentators” proves what a dynamic album Dallas has produced; folk, melodic and acoustic this track sees Dallas move to country. Simply infectious. “Thirst”, the heaviest track on the record is the highlight of the album; grittier sounds and the guitar and beat of the drum are more progressive. However, whilst more blunt and cutting and slightly rockier, it doesn’t sit out of place with more classic City And Colour sounds.

The clear plucking of guitar and subtle rise and fall makes “Take Care” melancholic and unforced, as Dallas’ distinctive falsetto soars. The album ends on “Death’s Song”, the perfect marriage between the optimistic and full soaring chorus and more despondent verses. The haunting repetition echoes the tolling of death bells and harnesses the sound of “The Hurry And The Harm”. Speaking of the album, Green comments, “I don’t have a lot of faith in myself, so it’s hard for me to have a lot of faith in something I have created. But I’ve never been happier or prouder about something that I have done.” It is this modestly and honesty that resounds through the album and allows the songs to do the talking for themselves.

“The Hurry And The Harm” sees Dallas and his guitar doing what they do best and firmly marks his stride away from Alexisonfire.  Noticeably stepping things up from previous solo offerings, Dallas still manages to harness the beautiful, melodic-acoustic sensibilities that can’t fail to captivate. This isn’t an overtly upbeat album, instead a slower burner; the perfect accompaniment to long summer evenings.  A charming and confident fourth album. 8/10

 “THE HURRY AND THE HARM” OUT NOW, COOKING VINYL/DINE ALONE

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