My favorite album of the just completed decade is the debut album by Hope of the States, The Lost Riots. It may not be the best album, but no other work of music moves me as much. The is a tone to this music that I am not sure I have heard before or since. It is not all out rock music or folk music but a healthy blend with a very dark edge to it.
It is important to note that one of the bands guitarists, James Lawrence, committed suicide just before the album was released. This feeling pops up repeatedly as the album plays. This would be the last album I would recommend to someone who is suicidal because I am not sure if it really offers any real hope. In fact, the last song, a hidden track, has the darkest message on the album. However, if your feeling a bit down, this album really works wonders. I listen to this album and I feel that there is someone who feels the same way that I do. I find something in the lyrics to relate to while the accompanying music perfect fits the lyrics without being void of a spark of vital life.
My favorite song on the album is Goodhorsehymn. I think this song is from the point of view of someone who had everything go wrong and is now lonely. The center piece of the album is a song called Black Dollar Bills. The sounds on this song at times seem like a soundtrack to your last moments on Earth, or may from out of this world.
If you can keep yourself together while listening to this album, you will be treated to a unique soundscape that will stay with you well after you are finished listening. It evokes pure emotion from me and that is what I expect out of the best of the music I listen to.
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