Sister Hazel is set to release the second installment in their Element’s collection on September 7th and like its predecessor Water, Wind is a six-song EP with a bonus seventh track, something the guys will include on each EP throughout the series.
The album’s first track “Come A Day” is sure to please their loyal fans, affectionately called Hazelnuts, as well as new listeners who are looking for a rocking, country song about getting through those hard times and the sweet tomorrow when all the tough times will be over and you can savor life with your loved one. The brisk tempo makes you want to tap your toe along to the rhythm. “Small Town Living” takes you home no matter where you are because we are all just living a small town life on the inside. When you’re missing your friends and family from back home you can know that so are some of those around you. The slow, methodic rhythm of the drums and breathy vocals stirs that “take me home” feeling:
There’s a little small town living
In each of us
There’s a little how you been
I miss my friend
Don’t see you enough
No matter how long you been gone
You always find home
There’s a little small town living
In each of us
“Whirlwind Girl” is an exhilarating anthem about boy meets girl, boy likes girl, girl teases boy, boy likes girl more. This song definitely goes back to Sister Hazel’s southern rock sound:
The fourth track is the sweetest ballad with soft, smooth, gentle vocals that pull you in and make you feel like nothing’s gonna break us “In Two.” From the opening guitar, simple chords and to the closing fade, you can’t help but immerse yourself in the warmth of this moment:
I’ll never let you go
No matter what darkness comes
I’ll shelter you
Nothing’s breaking us in two
Hold onto me
I’ll hold onto you
Yeah, nothing’s breaking us in two
Carrying a message similar to track four, “You’ll Be Safe Here” is more upbeat and, dare we say, has a bit of a pop-flare. With a tempo that is less country than some of the others it’s still just as uplifting:
Hold on now
Yeah love is a strange one when you’re coming down
It’s alright
When you’re on a highway with no road signs
You think you’re driving blind
But I’m on your side
“Midnight Again” is a mellow, rich flavorful story of missing the one you love, who may be lost to you forever. It tells of the ins and outs of the ordinary days, working, keeping busy. But then comes the night when there is nothing to stop you from your thoughts and memories flooding your soul, making you feel the love you lost:
I do alright till I get home
Remember that you’re gone
You start to flutter my mind
It’s about that time
It’s midnight again, You’re creepin in
Here comes that train that runs me down
Right on time
It’s midnight again and here we go
It hurts so much to be alone
The EP closes out with the bonus seventh track. While it’s definitely a lot more rock than the rest of the EP with its brassy guitar and thumping drum action to kick start the song, “Elements III (I’m Free)” is self-explanatory: I’m Free!
Andrew Copeland, Ken Block, Ryan Newell, Mark Trojanowski and Jeff Beres have been together for over 25 years, writing touring and playing just like a band of brothers. They embrace their Florida roots and southern/alt rock beginnings and bring that unique sound to the country music they perform. But the bandmates also have a passion for giving back through Lyrics for Life. Their next event An Evening of Making Music Matter! is Friday September 14 and will benefit Lyrics for Life Camp Hazelnut and Florida Cancer Specialist Foundation. Sister Hazel vocalist Ken Block founded Lyrics for Life to bring musicians and celebrities together for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities. The event in November 2017 raised over $200,000.
For more information on Sister Hazel visit: http://sisterhazel.com/
Wind Track List/Credits
- “Come A Day” – Written By: Andrew Copeland, Billy Montana, Randy Montana
- “Small Town Living” – Written By: Ken Block, Patrick Davis
- “Whirlwind Girl” – Written By: Andrew Copeland, Ryan Newell, Barry Dean
- “In Two” – Written By: Ryan Newell, Todd Wright
- “You’ll Be Safe Here” – Written By: Marti Frederiksen, Rebecca-Lynn Howard, Ruston Kelly, Jim McCormick
- “Midnight Again” – Written By: Andrew Copeland, Jeff Stevens
- Elements Part II (I’m Free) – Written By: Ken Block