Hothouse Flowers Albums (7)
'Live at the Ave: Hothouse Flowers with Colin Devlin'
Release Date 11/8/2004
Tracks 19
Label 3graces Media
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Irish band's first American release since 1993's excellent Songs from the Rain is a big improvement over 1998's disappointing Born, an album that nearly derailed the band. But the core trio of Fiachna O'Braondin, Liam Ó Maonlaí, and Peter O'Toole return to their pop-soul roots on Into Your Heart, with impressive results. As its title implies, these songs are typically moody, and the ballad-heavy collection could use more upbeat moments to spark the ambience, but this is still a stirring effort. Jumping off with a few pieces in the epic mode of their past successes, "Your Love Goes On" adds horns and the Dublin Gospel Choir to its inspirational lyrics, creating a thunderous, churchy singalong worthy of the band's best work. Ó Maonlaí is in excellent voice throughout. Confident, brash, yet sensitive, he anchors the music and even slips into a ghostly falsetto on "Better Man" when the emotional juices get flowing. There is a rather sappy '70s West Coast vibe to some of the tunes, which waters down "Alright" and makes it sound like something from an old America or Crosby, Stills & Nash album, a distraction even the prominent bouzouki can't overcome. Lead singer Ó Maonlaí doesn't do himself any favors when he tries to be Jackson Browne on the "These Days"-styled "Magic Bracelets," a tribute to deceased reggae master Joe Higgs, a friend of the bandmembers who recorded with them. Still, the singer's obvious passion pulls the outfit through the disc's weaker moments, which include adding unnecessary -- but generally not distracting -- drum loops to some tracks. A live acoustic traditional tune, "Sí Do Mhamó Í," is sung in Irish and comes complete with pennywhistle, closing the album in jig-worthy fashion and bringing the band's roots to the fore. Not as impressive as the trio of discs from the late '80s and early '90s that put Hothouse Flowers on the map, this is still a striking return to form that will satisfy old fans, even if it is unlikely to create many new ones. ~ Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Following the disappointing response to 1998's Home, Hothouse Flowers regrouped for a live album that shed some of the grungy, modern rock baggage of their previous outing and concentrated on the group's strengths: Celtic passion; Liam O'Maonlai's Van Morrison-esque caterwauling; and a handful of tunes strong enough to bear the anthemic treatment nearly every song in the band's catalog has received. Recorded at home in Dublin, as well as in Tokyo, and with the Flowers' core trio backed by just bass and drums (plus some programming), some of these tracks do sound improved from their studio versions. Of particular note are a pair of efforts from Born: a stripped-down "Pop Song" carries a rough-hewn beauty, while the already-majestic "At Last," which filches its coda from Pachelbel's Canon in D, gains even more altitude in this setting. Of course, when the bombast lacks a solid framework, songs like "Everlasting" live up to that name in a painful way. The final two tracks are apparently studio cuts (the album includes almost no credits); "Leave Your Troubles Behind" is tarted up like an outtake from Home, with its dance beat and heavily processed guitars, and the fan favorite, "Don't Go," which you'd have expected to be included in the live set, is offered instead in a clubby version that obscures most of the original's charm. The album was originally sold at shows and through the mail, and didn't see an official release, although the band planned to make it available via their website. ~ Dan LeRoy, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Five years after delivering Songs from the Rain, Hothouse Flowers returned from a self-imposed exile with Born. During their time off, Liam O'Maonlai had a side-project with Tim Finn called ALT, but that group's boozy charm is nowhere to be heard on Born. Instead, the group has scaled back, losing saxophonist Leo Barnes and drummer Jerry Fehily, and crafted a solid record quite similar to their Van Springsteen early records. They take an ill-advised stab at post-grunge, but the remainder of the album proves that they're at their best when they stick to the familiar, and while they offer no new revelations, Born nevertheless finds the group coming back to life with panache. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
With their third album, Songs from the Rain, Hothouse Flowers stepped away from their more anthemic tendencies, creating their quietest record yet. Although their devotion to Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, and U2 is still apparent, their influences are beginning to blend together. While Songs From the Rain is the band's most musically diverse collection, it is hampered by an inconsistent set of material. Nevertheless, when the band does have a good song, such as "Be Good," they deliver it more convincingly than they ever before. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Hothouse Flowers continued their exploration of Irish folk and gospel on their second album, Home. Their debut album, People, had introduced Hothouse Flowers to the world, largely through the strength of the single "Don't Go." While Home is every bit as good as People, it lacks an obvious standout track. Nonetheless, several singles were released from this disc, namely "I Can See Clearly Now," "Give It Up," and "Movies." The shadow of Van Morrison looms large over Home, from the slow, piano-driven ballads "Sweet Marie" and "Shut Up and Listen" to gospel choir-backed rockers like "Giving It All Away" and their cover of "I Can See Clearly Now." Hothouse Flowers aren't simply a pale imitation of their influences, though, and their songwriting and musicianship are excellent throughout. From the clever anthem "Movies" to the Eastern-tinged "Water," Hothouse Flowers have created a masterful collection of pop songs. Home is an underrated gem. ~ Jonathan Lewis, All Music Guide
