hillary capps - the wishing forest

Hillary Capps

The Wishing Forest
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Ethan Skeleton

Growing up in Vermont, Hillary Capps was attracted to music at an early age and benefited from the enhanced experience of having a very musical family. She began singing at weddings and various events with her father's group. During this time she polished a warm jazz character to her voice - sweet steam meets sexy and reserved. However, The Wishing Forest is something new. She used her jazz standard chops and turned to contemporary pop; a stylistic choice earning her this review as well as countless nods of praise and notoriety. She uses her finesse of jazz phrasing with melodic structures all guided by the genius of her band and high end production team.

"Chapter One (Intro)" showcases classic beauty within a great voice and lovely uke. What a striking melody, it plays around with island spirit and contemporary tragedy. There is a great balance of dissonant strings and resolving passages, successful chord movement throughout. I knew I was in for a great artist within a minute. Imagine this track with more instrumentation, duration and explanation. It is a treat in its own right as is, but I feel it hasn't been tapped to the full extent. Problem solved. Expand it at a live show and create that amazing response in the audience. That dawning of, "Oh my god . . . I thought it was good before. So glad I came tonight." Know what I'm saying? Capps has it on lock with the introduction of her solid band on "Walk Away.” They are a huge complement to her excellent vocal delivery and when you get that chorus in your veins nothing else matters but the snap of off-beat snare, the grace of bright and uplifting piano and violin rays that stream like evening sun.

Hailed as The Wishing Forest's single, "New Melody" wastes no time cutting to the catchy. Capps pops out the syllabic phrasing of melody in a rhythmically satisfying fashion only eclipsed by the backing harmonies and range of vocal. Even before the half time breaks within the chorus, listeners have got to be hooked. The drums bump with urgency and the guitar has a deliciously light and upbeat tone. The beginning of "Love Love Love" is delightfully deceptive. Then I sensed the 6/8 coming and just kicked back, waiting for the groove. And it delivered. It delivered. The instrumentation is prime and almost steals a little spotlight from Capps, maybe that's just me. But as if she knew, her voice stretches and strikes beautifully near the song's bridge and closing.

I'll be waiting to hear more from Hillary Capps as I listen to all the radio artist contemporaries; doing well, but not reaching the heights heard here. She gives her all, has a fantastic sound, movement and appeals to all kinds. It's these things that separate the skippable from the unforgettable.

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