The High Llamas - Hawaii

Sean O'Hagan has a gift for orchestral pop, creating lush soundscapes that are awash with sonic detail. He clearly owes a lot to Brian Wilson, and Hawaii, the High Llamas' third album, falls somewhere between Pet Sounds and SMiLE. Sonically, the rich, orchestrated production is reminiscent of the former, but Hawaii is paced like SMiLE, with brief instrumentals and song fragments framing the full-fledged songs. Each is carefully arranged and recorded, offering an inviting tapestry of strings, guitars, keyboards, brass, and percussion. For much of Hawaii, the sound of the record is intoxicating, but the album drags over the course of 77 minutes. Among the 29 tracks, there are some beautiful moments and gorgeous songs, but Hawaii winds up being too much of a good thing, lacking the focus of Gideon Gaye. [The American edition of Hawaii contains a 40-minute, six-track bonus disc, containing material previously unreleased in the U.S., including the B-sides for the Nomads single.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andy Gibson Trumpet, Flugelhorn Andy Robinson Brass Arrangement, Trombone Anne Wood Violin Anthony Lyons Layout Design Charles Francis Engineer Charlie Francis Mini Moog, Producer, Engineer, Loop Editing, Tape Editor Colin Crawley Sax (Tenor), Flute Jayne Spencer Violin John Bennett Vocals (Background), Lap Steel Guitar, Guitar Marcus Holdaway Harpsichord, Vox Organ, Vibraphone, Piano, Clavinet, Vocals (Background), Cello, String Arrangements, Harmonium, Piano (Upright) Mark Lockheart Flute, Sax (Tenor) Rob Allum Percussion, Bells, Drum Effects, Drums, Rattles Sally Herbert Violin Sean O'Hagan Vocals (Background), Rhythm, String Arrangements, Piano (Upright), Producer, Banjo, Guitar, Piano, Arranger, Vibraphone, Moog Synthesizer, Harpsichord, Vocals, Harmonium, Vox Organ Steve Rooke Mastering Steve Waterman Trumpet, Flugelhorn