December 11th, 2009, Author: leona laurie, Categories: Songs & Songwriters

Seattle indie folk pop band The Soft Hills blend dreamy melodies and sublime harmonies wrapped around introspective lyrics and seductive, rich vocals. While not completely obscure within the indie music circles, The Soft Hills' new EP, Painted World, has somehow slipped by the more popular music sites and blogs.

Painted World features five solid songs that demonstrate the best of the ethereal possibilities of experimental indie folk mixed with pop. The EP is not overly produced or reliant on musical gimmicks - an increasing, and often unfortunate, trend in pop music over the past decade.

The raw talent of The Soft Hills is evident on the opening track, "Apples," an airy and meandering ballad that takes to heart the power of original songwriting and production. The next song, "Spent," is smooth and sublime, graced with low-key acoustic guitar and piano, almost absent of extraneous percussion. As the song flows gently along, singer and songwriter Garrett Hobba unveils the somewhat ironic lyric, "you've been drifting too far."

Hobba draws inspiration for his lyrics from 20th century literary artists, Eastern philosophy, and symbolic dreams. Fans of Mark Kozelek, the prolific singer and songwriter of San Francisco indie folk bands Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters take note; the likeness of The Soft Hills' sound and story-telling is, at times, remarkably similar, whether intentional or not.

The sprawling track "Wandering" features ambient, rich harmonies, and the Belle & Sebastian-esque song "Hills Like White Elephants" is easily the EP's most up-tempo song. The record's last song, "Diamond Road," paints a lush Mojave 3-like sonic experience with hints of the folksy charm of Band of Horses. The only draw-back is that the song is a bit too long, clocking in at just under seven minutes long.

The Soft Hills began their journey in 2007 when Hobba moved to Seattle and met up with drummer Caleb Heinrich. Soon the duo were joined by fellow Seattle musicians Brittan Drake on piano, Drew Dresman on guitar and bass, and Brett Massa on guitar, bass and vocals.


        ~Philip Daoust, www.indierockcafe.com

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Recording their Painted World EP in an elementary school, West Coast ambient popsters The Soft Hills lent an innocent naiveté to their airy folk tunes, using toy instruments that they found at the school in addition to their grown-up equipment. The simple charm this lends is quite powerful, adding depth to the band's bittersweet melodies. This five-song collection is ethereal and atmospheric, like the soundtrack to a melancholy movie. The Soft Hills are gentle and sincere – think of them as Seattle's chilled-out answer to The Shins.

Opening the disc with the sweet, delicate ballad "Apples," The Soft Hills layer sublime melodies with captivating, rich vocals. There is a distinctly otherwordly feel to this song, drawing you into their dreamscape as the music soars. Taking a folkier turn on "Spent," the soft guitar and child's xylophone craft a warm, homey sound. "Hills Like White Elephants" has a more upbeat tempo than the first two cuts, pensively narrating about a woman who dreads her impending future, despite hollow reassurances from her companion.

Ambling along an undetermined path on "Wandering," this soft, slow piece has beautiful instrumentation and sums up the nomadic feeling of the EP. "Gone with the flow, we begin," declares vocalist Caleb Heinrich. Continuing on this theme is the final track, "Diamond Road," which clocks in at almost seven minutes as the band take us with them on their journey, starting off with a quiet acoustic feel and building into a crescendo of guitars and drums.

The Soft Hill's introspective lyrics are optimistic, if tinged with a bit of sadness. Reading like poetry, they tell involved and somewhat mysterious stories. The music is evocative and genuine, and really makes the listener care and become involved in their world. The lush, harmonious compositions of The Soft Hills are thoughtful and appealing, although there are times when the music wanders a little too much, running the risk of losing the listener's attention. But overall, Painted World is experimental in a way that is both musical and compelling. ....

        ~Indie-Music.com

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From Seattle, sedately. On Painted World, THE SOFT HILLS take inspiration from their environs, fusing the understated melancholy that runs through a city with so much rain and the fresh joy that comes with the sun after the clouds part. With oft-uplifting melodies given a gentle treatment more in keeping with twee artists associated with the United Kingdom, “Hills Like White Elephants” is the perfect folk pop hit single, at least in the universe I inhabit, while the other four cuts insistently drift in a moodier but just as melodic and satisfying direction. This kind of overtly emotional pop can feel false if done incorrectly (see: more Pitchfork-approved indie rockers than I can count). Armed with a finely crafted blend of acoustic and electric guitars and the keening voice of GARRETT HOBBA, the Soft Hills get it quite right.

        ~The Big Takeover  

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