Case Hop Tally - Siberia

Case Hop Tally

Siberia
​self-released; 2017

3.9 out of 5

By Rebecca Rothschild

How do I love this new album Siberia from Case Hop Tally, let me count the ways. One of the missions of the album is escapism. The band acknowledges the world in its topsy turvy state, and has issued a vaccine in the form of this five-track album. As soon as I fired it up, I could feel the tight knots in my muscles unwind. The images of the constant news scroll faded from my memory and I was elsewhere. This is an indie/experimental sound that is curious and calming. Lots of sentimental and cozy dusted with earthy blues really made Siberia something special for me.

Track number one is an instrumental song appropriately named "The Great Siberian Intro.” It starts off with ambient sounds of wind. I imagine to suggest a tundra like landscape which works considering that's what Siberia is. Then it goes into an ambient musical phase and then builds into an interesting, almost creepy broken down carnival sound. It sounded as though the listener is walking out of the tundra and into the crazy setting of the world. My immediate instinct was to get back to the wind. But then the track lightens itself and we get this cool wonderland of ambient sounds.

Next up, track two is "HOLLYWOOD the Redeemer." This one has vocals, and I love them! This track builds from what sounds like an intimate, unplugged performance to the drums coming and opening up the listener to the full band. There's this fantastic balance of folk and indie rock. I was really put at peace with this song, it's just so beautiful and isolating, in a good way.

​Track three is also an instrumental and is called "Home for the Holidays." The title alone puts me in a better place, but the songs amplified it. Again, appropriate title as the music encompasses all those fuzzy holiday feelings. Not so much the ones with everyone around the table, more so the ones that happen when "all is quiet in the house. If this album were a body massage, I would be butter at this point. My mind was so incredibly quiet while listening to this one.

Number four is all about flexing those blues muscles with "The Great Siberian Blues." Once again we are given those lovely vocals which deliver some of my favorite lyrics on the album. While this track is clearly meant as an homage to traditional blues, the group made the right choice by making some modern updates by adding their special indie rock sauce. This song is strong and inspiring. It's not in your face inspiration, but it managed to ground me and motivate. me.

The last track is "Vera" and this is what I would say is the most tender of the tracks. It starts off with a little humming and then transitions into full on lyrics which are very sweet. I can't think of a better note to end on.
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Case Hop Tally definitely grabbed a hold of my heart with this one. I'm gonna go ahead and put it high on my "must listen" list, especially if you're someone who needs their mind to shut the hell up once in a while.

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