Search - Hannah Fury :: Soul Poison

I'll make it look like an accident

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 07/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Fiona Apple or Heather Nova had a brooding, beautiful, ominous twin from a dark enchanted forest, then that sister would be Hannah Fury. Her debut EP "Soul Poison" shows Hannah off at her absolute best, with her gothic lyrics and exquisitely lovely musical skills.



It opens with the rippling keyboard of "Marie Antoinette's Necklace," an disturbing and beautiful song about murder. "I'll make it look like an accident/I'll make it look like he was trying to hurt me... I'll make it seem like I was innocent/I'll make the strychnine taste like raspberry tea," Fury sings dreamily, before crooning that "I fear for your soul/ as you sow, you shall reap..."



It's followed by songs like the yearning "Idaho" with its piano melody; it's also the most romantic song on the EP, as the narrator confides that with her lover, she can cope with travel. Then there's the delicate gothic music of "Eat the Dirt," and the heartbreaking ballad of "The Last Piece of Cake."



The peak of it all is a warped folk ballad, based on the traditional folk song "Scarborough Fair." In Fury's hands, it turns into an embittered plea. "Please don't go to Scarborough Fair/Honey, poison, oakwood and wine/Don't forget me, I still care/He was not a true love of mine!"



It's a shame that Fury isn't better known than she is, because she is an exquisite musician -- her beautiful melodies, throaty voice and poetic songs are light-years ahead of anything you'll hear on the radio. Not just artistically, but in the dark, velvety atmosphere.



Most of the music is piano alone, with no guitars or percussion. Fury's self-taught piano skills are wonderful, whether it's the delicate ripples of "Idaho" or the taut tune of "Eat the Dirt." The music also gets overlaid with some misty organ and some shuddering distortion, but the heart of it is the white-and-black keys.



The songwriting complements the music as well, with its dark undercurrents. And the highlight is Fury's singing, with her exquisitely downplayed vocals. No histrionics, no acrobatics. Even when she's singing about cold-blooded murder, betrayal and drinking blood, she sounds calm and dreamy.



"Soul Poison" was Hannah Fury's first release, and it has the polish and beauty of a veteran singer-songwriter. Dark, exquisite and disturbing."