`Hinterland` is the second LP by Held By Trees, taking in elements of jazz, post-rock, and ambient music.
The follow-up to their debut, `Solace`. It is heavily inspired by Talk Talk/Mark Hollis, and collaborating with musicians that played for them, including Mark Hollis`s son Charlie Hollis who plays piano on four of the tracks. Returning Hollis veterans are Robbie McIntosh on guitar, Laurence Pendrous on piano, Andy Panayi on flute, clarinet, and saxophone (who are each members of the live HBT band), plus Martin Ditcham on drums/percussion and Simon Edwards on double bass. Further notable contributors are Rob Coombes on Hammond Organ, Stephen Gilchrist on drums, Simone Marie Butler on synths and sound effects, Matt Simms on guitar, Norman Westberg on guitar, Robert Poss on guitar, Simon Scott with field recordings, Mark Simnett on drums and percussion, Jen Macro on guitar, and Chris Pedley on bass.
The album opens with `Edge of Town` which seems almost like an awakening and reminded me of Dire Straits around the time of the `Love Over Gold` album and some of their intros into songs. Here it feels like the calm before the storm. There`s a short dreamy jazzy offering with `The Boundary` which as the title suggests is a kind of dividing line or margin between numbers.
`Hinterland Soul` conjures up images of a backwater or remote area and a place to head to for psychic rejuvenation or revival and there certainly are elements of that here but there`s also a feel of a renewal of spent energy, a kind of spiritual recharging. A double bass, wavering flute and dreamy sax lead us along the perfectly titled `The Path` an all too brief but enjoyable roaming trail.
`Between States` does feel like entering a place, area or even a mood or aura that borders two locations either physically or emotionally. A passageway between walls or fences is what a snicket is but `The Snickett` may indeed be a play on this word or allude to a pathway between tracks. A fleeting ambient and atmospheric soundscape.
`The Pylon Line` brought to mind images of a structure used to transmit electricity over long distances and although there was an understated power to this composition, it felt delightfully restrained but maybe had that fundamental hum or buzzing cackle which can be heard when in the presence of one of these vast constructions, especially in the last quarter of this submission. The final arrangement `Boughs and Branches` mirrors the sounds of the swaying of tree limbs and offshoots that have stood the test of time. The symbolic nature of trees means that they are often used to remember a loved one so maybe this has a much deeper significance.
David Joseph`s Held By Trees vision `Hinterland` is a really interesting concept or idea as much as a musical album release in that what is shared summons up illustrations, images and feelings of landscapes, terrains, and environments in auditory extracts and soundscapes which elevate sensations emotionally as well as almost physically.
A release that is to be experienced as much as heard.
Rating 8.5/10
