You Crazy Dreamers

How do I describe “The Cloud Hymn” other than simply repeating the newly assigned band name?  I mean, no better description for a band lies in its name than the artist I have before you today.  In the same way the band Death Vessel is a polar opposite of band name to band sound, this is a polar opposite of that polar opposite…lost yet?  Basically The Cloud Hymn might just sound exactly what you would think they would - beautiful, airy and floating along (but with guitar and piano…).

Okay, seriously though, this unsigned Minnesotan talent took me off guard with the wonderful soundscapes and expanse of raw emotion.  There is a dreamy ease to everything I have heard so far, but with a sad undertone that you can take away from more than just the lyrics.  You can get lost inside of it all, even knowing it is a place built by/for one person.  Whether you write/create due to personal experience (which is the case here) or just because you enjoy doing it (which is also the case here), I think that this cloud project is drifting in the right direction.

Taking us along in the right direction is John Nielsen handling the writing, vocals and guitar for his project.  The terrific piano accents are brought to you from Paul Brandt and some wonderful additional vocal pairing from Tani Alyssa Eckdahl.  Together the three have provided an almost ethereal display of these sad, but beautiful songs.

While I mentioned drifting above, I mean moving forward to a release of a full 11 track album by the fall (hopefully).  Nielsen (the man behind the curtain for TCH you could say) assures me that this currently untitled album is completed and just in the midst of mastering prior to that pending release.   There are some good folks in Eau Claire, WI at “The Distillery” that are assisting in the endeavor (here’s lookin’ at you Eric!).  Well all I can say is I am looking forward to hearing the album and getting lost in it all.

I have two demo tracks for you all below, so drift along with these until the full length CD arrives and I try to sell you all on them all over again.  Until then, visit their MySpace page here.

~Smansmith