20 Signs of Life in 2002

An angel who suddenly discovered she could sing, a pianist who puts words in her mouth and two men who know guitars don’t have to play chords and mandolins don’t have to play bluegrass. Together, they form Hem, an Americana band that was only recently discovered by America.

Though its debut, Rabbit Songs, came out in Europe in 2000, Hem had trouble finding an hospitable U.S. label and eventually released the album through New Jersey’s Bar None Records in April.

A variety of guest instrumentalists give Rabbit Songs its warm, rich layers on haunting lullabies and rocking chair folk songs. Orchestral moments like the piano/violin/clarinet combo on "Leave Me Here" add depth, while pedal steel, mandolin and fiddle give the record its timeless feel.

Sally Ellyson’s relaxed soprano lingers in your head long after the songs have ended. Though they live only a few blocks apart, guitarist Dan Messe discovered her by placing an ad in Brooklyn’s Village Voice. She came over to his apartment to copy a tape she made for a friend’s baby shower. After such an odd meeting, Messe didn’t even plan on listening to the tape. But later that week, when he pushed "play" thinking the tape was another, he was taken aback. Voices so perfect are rare.

Ellyson can sing lullabies that leave you weeping, such as on "Sailor." (This tune also boasts the best French horn solo written outside of the classical realm since the Beetle’s "For No One.") With the help of some stellar instrumentalists, she can also handle modern folk tunes like "Night on a River" or traditional songs like "The Cuckoo."

If Messe continues writing beautiful songs for Ellyson to sing, Hem will be permanently sown into the Americana music scene.

See the rest of our 20 Signs of Life in 2002.