Austin Sound

Dana Falconberry’s new album, Hallets, is a case in point of sometimes taking a step backwards to find the best route forwards. Though Hallets officially serves as the local songwriter’s sophomore full length, it is essentially a revision and reworking of material from her 2008 debut LP, Oh Skies of Grey. That album attempted to bolster Falconberry’s delicate folks sound with strong backing percussion and moments of fuzzed electric guitar, a reach from her familiar acoustic and harmony-based style that has made her one of Austin’s most promising young voices. While Skies’ more aggressively produced style worked well at times, it was also a somewhat misdirected introduction of a debut in that it diverged greatly from the very essence of Falconberry’s songs as they had become popular locally. Hallets is an attempt to reset that starting point, an LP much more in line with the songstress’ stunning 2006 debut EP, Paper Sailboat.

Why so blue Dana Falconberry? Yesterday was your birthday! You have a new album coming out next year! Your clothes inexplicably never go out of style! Yet still you sing sad, oh so sad. “Nobody loves me?”; “Nobody cares?”; “Nobody wants me?” Dana, get off livejournal and take stock of your blessings. It’s Christmastime! Hopefully the other songs on the upcoming Halletts won’t be so devastating, because there is only so much we can take with our Seasonal Depression Disorder. We’ll find out come January 14 when Falconberry releases her sophomore full-length at the Mohawk. In the meantime, we’ll make due with the beautifully dire little ditty “Nightingale” which you can download below. Falconberry has also added a new harmony into her mix alongside Gina Dvorak in the form of Lauren McMurray. Also, if anyone has a clue what the hell a Hallett is, please let us know.