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Hazelnuts everywhere long awaited the Aug. 18 release of Sister Hazel’s newest album entitled “Release.” Ken Block, the band’s primary songwriter, took the backseat on this album and each of the five band members contributed at least two of their own songs to the album.
“Everyone got their own fingerprints all over the record,” said vocalist/guitarist Block on the band’s Web site, sisterhazel.com. “The ownership that we always felt on the other records went to a different level on this one.”
The albums lead track, “Release,” was lead guitarist Ryan Newell’s title track. The music for this song is very interesting because Newell plays the banjo and makes his debut on the cello.
Sister Hazel keeps the same unique style that their fans love them for on the album. “All For You,” the band’s most popular hit from their self-titled album “Sister Hazel,” put the band on the map. “Release” reached a new record when it entered the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, peaking at number 37.
Sister Hazel’s album “Fortress” left me on a “Champagne High” (the popular single off their album “Fortress”), but their new album is now easily my favorite from the band. The track “See Me Beautiful” has, in my opinion, the best vocals on the album, closely followed by “I Believe in You.”
The album concludes with the track “Ghost in the Crowd.” This track has the most meaningful lyrics and is a perfect way to end the album. “‘Ghost in the Crowd’ was my interpretation of the life that was happening within the band,” said bassist Jett Beres.
“Release” is definitely worth the ten dollars that it costs on iTunes. Also, two bonus tracks are available on the iTunes version of the album. The bonus tracks are acoustic versions of “Vacation Rain” and “Take a Bow.”
The band has a large fan base that calls themselves “Hazelnuts.” The band even posted downloadable posters on their website for super fans known as Hazelnuts.
Sister Hazel will continue to tour for “Release” through December. The band has also organized a “Lyrics for Life Day” on Sept. 19 in an effort to raise money and promote awareness of childhood cancer.
Block founded this event in memory of his younger brother Jeffrey, who died from cancer. The event will have both musicians and celebrities fundraising through concerts and auctions. Sister Hazel will also host Rock the Boat X, which the band’s Web site dubs “the world’s greatest floating music festival” on Jan. 7 in Tampa, FL.
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