Rockbites: Annie Hayden’s solo debut shines

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February 2001 • Rockbites Alternative Daily

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Annie Hayden’s solo debut shines
19 February 2001

New Jersey singer/songwriter Annie Hayden, former female voice and multi-instrumentalist for Jersey City indie pop band Spent, releases her solo debut tomorrow on Merge records. Long anticipated by Spent’s loyal fans (that band’s critically acclaimed farewell release appeared five years ago), The Rub features Hayden along with fellow Spent founder John King and Spent drummer Ed Radich on a largely acoustic, slow-tempo, mostly straight-ahead folk record.
    No, there’s not much extrinsic evidence of Spent’s punkier side, although one song (Red Lines) features a bit of noise guitar. The primary textures on The Rub come from acoustic guitar & piano, mellotron, and Hayden’s unadorned and enchantingly honest voice. The album also includes no less than four acoustic instrumentals.
    The real treat on The Rub is the songs, which, like Hayden’s voice, are unassuming to the point of shyness but contain a treasure trove of delicate beauty that rewards repeated listening. The last song on the album, Lovely To See, is especially strong, with shimmering vocal harmonies and gorgeous instrumental interplay. The Rub is a record you can love. Three bites out of five.

Rockbites ratings  5: life changing, 4: stunning, 3: captivating, 2: amusing, 1: annoying.

    Here are a few upcoming Annie Hayden dates

February
23 - Philadelphia, PA (The Upstage)
24 - Carrboro, NC (Cat’s Cradle w/Superchunk & Spoon)

March
  9 - New York city, NY (Brownies w/ Richard Davies & A Don Piper Situation)
| Annie Hayden on Merge | | Spent on Merge | | Spent on Southern | | Start A Little Late | | discography | | CD | | top of page |

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