One Hand Loves The Other - One Hand Loves The Other

Urban atmosphere

Aspects of Erasure, and Sparks come to mind, listening to this album. From the first cut of somber, vast operatic grandness to touches of hip-hop, and retro alternative rock later on, I'm taken to a city of contemplation. The band's name caught my attention, buying the album on a lark -funny that my favorite tune is "Rubbernecker Nightingale." Its up-beat tempo and Jimmy Somerville-like vocal takes the album to yet another height. November 14, 2008

this album took my unsophisticated musical taste to a new height

I admit, I have a soft spot for local music, and One Hand Loves the Other hails from my local music scene in Atlanta, where the group's name is a familiar sight on posters for local venues. The classically infused electro-pop band's first full-length album is marked by extraordinary vocals, creative electronic stylings and classical instruments like the cello. On first listen, I wasn't sure whether I should get up and dance or sit back and close my eyes. I settled on a combination of the two, letting the rhythmic percussion of "Burden of Barnacles" get me on my feet, then allowing the piano-driven "Petey Penance" to chill me out. The classical tones eased my usual aversion to electronica, creating a new way to hear the full-bodied music. Attributing perhaps to the diversity of the band members' backgrounds, this album took my unsophisticated musical taste to a new height of appreciation for collaboration among styles, sounds and people. September 4, 2007

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