Steve Hill - "Hanging on a string" : New Release

Fans of Hill argue that Hanging on a String is perhaps his best album yet. And having listened to the record, you would be hard-pressed to argue against that sentiment. Although not by intention, the release is a concept album of sorts. But don’t expect the traditional type of concept record like Tommy or Quadrophenia by The Who. It has more to do with the fact there is a story or common thread that runs through the album. This narrative became apparent to Hill upon completion of the album. 

The title track opens the album with the line ‘woke up in a house on fire’. A note which comes from a true story which the artist encountered follow­ing the conclusion of a Canadian tour. And if that doesn’t grab your atten­tion, then nothing will. The song has a real old-school groove, perhaps in the style of hill country blues. The track is underpinned by a foot-tap-ping rhythm and searing fuzz-fuelled guitar riffs. 

The sound on the album switches up thanks to Devil’s Handy­man, and the song’s sinister vocals and poetic lyricism perfectly accentuate the mood. Steve grapples with his life and experiences in the music industry during the autobiographical number Show Ya. It’s an up-tempo blues/rocker fuelled by Steve’s passionate delivery. Show Ya is one of the standout tracks of the release. 

Just glancing down the track list of the album, the song title World Gone Insane feels particular­ly pertinent in the strange times we are living through. The song builds from a slow and sombre introduction into a raging slice of groove rock that, in places, is reminiscent of bands like Queens of the Stone Age. 

As the album progresses, the raw studio sound of Maggie instils the live feel of the album. The song is perhaps catchier than The Com­mon Cold and features another heart and soul-performance from Hill. Much like the track which follows it, You Know Who.