Hannah Curwood & The Good Girls

This is the second release from Hannah Curwood following the Otago native's debut album 'Sky Above Horse Below' in 2007. The EP's opener begins with a vocal hymn before switching to a slow groove, and sets the scene for the remaining four songs. Universal themes of heartbreak, melancholy and pain underline thie surprisingly uplifting collection, Curwood's hypnotic vocals floating up and down gracefully. Backed by a talented group of musicians, the folk sound of the EP is made up of acoustic and electric guitar, piano, glockenspiel, bass and drums. 'Winter Waltz' is a lyrical stand-out, emphasised by Curwoodh's delicate voice and sparse production, climbing to a musical howl before slowing to a quiet ending. The clunk of pulsing guitar chords builds 'Watertank' into a swirl of sound. Curwood's breaking voice reaches new heights and she doesn't let you go as the song grows in power until it reaches an abrupt end. The atmospheric 'Black Red Morning' wraps things up perfectly. It's hard to believe this stunning EP was recorded in just three days - it was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by Dale Cotton.

By Kara Segedin - NZ Musician magazine, Oct/Nov 2009

The best thing about Curwood is that she sings with her Kiwi accent. It really sticks out and sets her apart from other female singer/songwriters who prefer to sing with more nondescript vowels. It makes these songs more believable - you can relate to anyone who is being themselves rather than trying to be or sound like someone else. Although Curwood is based in Auckland the EP was recorded in Dunedin with Dale Cotton, who also added bass and percussion. Graeme Downes performs guitar on 'Black Red Morning' and Curwood's parner Thomas Healy plays an edgy electric guitar - adding a new dimension and layers of distortion to her sound. The girls from Dunedin group Haunted Love add extra charm with their vocal harmonies. 'Shining' and 'Blind Love' are the obvious sellers. Both are well orchestrated and arranged - though not the only tracks that caputure the listener's attention. 'Winter Waltz' is eerie and creepy. There's a bit in 'Watertank' where you finally hear Curwood really go for it. The rest of the time she sings quite beautifully and tells her story softly. She is real. She is amazing.

By Fleur Jack - RIP IT UP magazine Oct 2009

HANNAH CURWOOD - The Blind Love EP (Luggate Records)
Hannah returned to Dunedin to record this EP with friends and collaborators at Dale Cotton's studio. There are melodies contained within that swim like schools of fishes, solidly together, purposefully and in directions that you as an observer may not necessarily expect. But like a school of fish, they flow so perfectly naturally, that even the surprises make perfect sense when they unfold. The beauty here-in lies in the seemingly effortlessness of it; it feels natural, organic and unforced - yet, at the same time, clearly there's something very deliberate at play here. AT - www.cheeseontoast.co.nz

Hannah Curwood - The Blind Love EP (Arch Hill)

Author: stereonerd [16-08-2009 10:13]

Curwood is a Kiwi song bird whose sound here has an alt-rock/American roots folk slant.

The Blind EP was recorded in Dunedin and is infused with the introversion of that city, featuring musical contributions from producer Dale Cotton and even Mr Verlaine, Graeme Downes on one track out of the five here.

Great attention has been paid to getting an interesting and vivid instrumental background to these songs. One suspects that Cotton was really experimenting with the audio possibilities of the studio to get eerie transpositions of different instruments, both acoustic and electric.

But centre stage is Curwood and her striking vocals. She has the same trilling, high voice of another Dunedin notable from the '80s, Jay Clarkson, with a bit more of an intimate whisper that makes her sound like she's resting on the pillow next to yours.

EPs are difficult things. Popular in NZ, presumably due to budgetary constraints, five songs just isn't long enough to really gauge Curwood's songwriting potential. Definitely, however, one of the best in its genre from these shores in some time.

GARY STEEL - www.tone.co.nz

New Zealand singer/songwriter Hannah Curwood has delivered a five track EP filled with her inspiring songwriting talent and nifty arrangements. With her stark and atmospheric piano work combined with tasty guitar licks from Tom Healy, the songs come to life in a personal manner. From the beautiful opener 'Blind Love', the unfolding beauty of 'Winter Waltz', illuminating and rocky 'Watertank' and mysteriously haunting and poignant 'Black Red Morning' featuring lovely acoustic picking from Graeme Downes, Curwood brilliantly captures the essence of the songs. Please come to Hamilton, Hannah.

By Steve Scott - The Waikato Times