CD Review:

Sister Hazel
Before the amplifiers: live acoustic
Rock Ridge Music

The Gainesville, Florida acoustic alternative pop band Sister Hazel, formed in 1993 at Humblefest, returns with a live acoustic album. Adding to an extensive list of seven albums, including studio, acoustic, and hybrid releases, before the amplifiers is a live collection of Sister Hazel’s hits, fan favorites, and live staples.

The first track Champagne High comes from their 2000 CD Fortress while the band was still part of the Universal Records group (and two live albums). Being a fan of acoustic, I prefer the new addition/rendition to the older one. The original Verizon comes across as to much “pop” while the new one seems more like a nice acoustic sing along. Hold On comes from the 2004 release Lift that was with the new label Rock Ridge Music like the new album. Again the acoustic version takes away some of the pop sound that seems to be a studio album necessity for Sister Hazel. A nice song that sounds much improved acoustic, although still a bit Pop for my taste. Shame comes from the 2006 CD Absolutely and is a good tune. In this case, I prefer the studio rendition better then the acoustic. All for you comes from the 1997 CD …somewhere more familiar (and Universal) and is, at least in my case, their best none song. The acoustic extended addition is a nice change to the radio track we have all heard played repeatedly. Your Winter is another track from Fortress. In this case, I prefer the acoustic but both are to pop for my taste. World Inside My Head come from Lift and is another nice guitar/piano song. Strange Cup of Tea comes from Fortress and is a nice alternative Jam song. Mandolin Moon comes from Absolutely and is a great acoustic rock song. Just Remember comes from …somewhere more familiar and is a nice acoustic ballad song. Come Around is from the 2003 Chasing Daylight album and is a lovely song. Swan Dive comes from Lift and a nice song about diving into life. In this case, the play and sing along by the crowd takes away from the song. Happy comes from …somewhere more familiar as well and is a nice slow song. This Kind of Live is from Absolutely and too much of a slow love pop song for my likening. Starfish comes from …somewhere more familiar and is a great jam band, banjo song. The best dance along song on this CD. Change your mind is from Fortress and is a nice little song. Finally, Feel It is from the self-titled 1994 Sister Hazel CD and was a great final song to end the set.

Overall, the CD is a nice addition to the Sister Hazel repertoire of albums. No new music but rather new formats takes some from the originality of the music. Alas, I like acoustic music, so I prefer these greatest hits to their other albums.