Marissa Nadler - Little Hells

Genre folk Publisher Kemdao Records External Links Official Marissa Nadler Website

I am not sure why Marissa Nadler’s CD is entitled Little Hells. After listening to it, I would more appropriately title it Little Delicacies. Because, in truth, that is what it is. Marissa Nadler has an infectious delicate voice that brings a rawness to each song she sings. It’s haunting.

Little Hells has this vintage, soothing vibe to it. Not all of the songs are slow either. The first track, “Heartpaper Lover,” has a whining guitar sound to it in the background which sounds like something is falling. It is very enthralling. “Rosary” follows the same softer sound of the first track. The disc then changes pace. “Little Hells,” has no resemblance to hell at all. It is a soft, short little number driven by an acoustic guitar and what sounds like an organ. “Brittle, Crushed & Torn,” has a stronger guitar track to it and shines as a stand out track on this album. It really brings out a good old-fashioned folk sound to it.

You won’t find any surprises on this album. It is as solid as it gets. This album is consistent in the eerie, melancholy, folk sound Marissa Nadler portrays. Her vocals are reverb backed, soft, and overall lovely. She doesn’t need to belt out any high notes to make you notice her. She is just fine where she is at and obviously knows who she is as an artist. I have never heard of her before but it seems this is her fourth album and she is only twenty-eight years old!

She sounds a little reminiscent of Kate Bush, who she lists as one of her influences on her myspace page. If you like Kate Bush, you will probably like Marissa Nadler. If you like soothing folk music, you will probably like Marissa Nadler. If you like melancholy vocals, you will probably like Marissa Nadler. Or if you just like great music from a great artist, you will probably like Marissa Nadler. Little Hells is a must have for any music lovers collection. It stands the test of time, having an older sound to it, while still remaining current in today’s Indie-Folk Artist scene.