I so love Hem

I'm woman enough to admit this. I heard an awesome song on a commercial and Googled the lyrics and then quickly jumped into bed with this band. The song, which was from a Liberty Mutual commercial (I know--that makes it so much worse) has a languorous melody that's superseded by one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. It's a feminine voice that doesn't try to sound young or vulnerable but manages to come across as belonging to a fragile source, even though it has its own strength to it. Hard to describe and I'm not doing it justice.

Anyway, the voice is Sally Ellyson's (a mellifluous name if I ever heard one) and she makes me glad I have iTunes. Except that it makes it way too easy to indulge myself. I downloaded "Half Acre" by the band she sings for, a band called "Hem", and have already listened to it multiple times. It's a little bit country, a little bit lullaby, a little bit make-you-maudlin, a lot calm-you-down. I see myself baking cupcakes to this song, with an apron on, my hair tied in a bun.

I don't frequently fall so hard in love with bands, but occasionally, I'll find one band or singer whose entire catalog just knocks me out. Last year it was Electric Six. The year before it was Neko Case. This year, it's been Amy Winehouse, and now Hem.

In a way, their music feels too pretty and valuable to attach to commercials but I forgive it because a) these people deserve to eat and support their families more than most of the musicians whose crap makes it to the radio, and b) if not for the commercial, I would never have found them. So thanks Liberty Mutual. If Aetna or Chase ever do me wrong, I know where I'll be turning to.

And, Hem, when are you people going to make it to Chicago? I'll bring cupcakes that I baked while listening to your beautiful music.