Lift

AMG Review of Lift

Johnny Loftus
All Music Guide

Sister Hazel probably deserved more from AAA radio than the cup of coffee they got with 1997's "All for You". The Florida combo writes strong hooks, and cultivates the same easily accessible sound that brought silver platters of success to dudes like Rob Thomas and notorious actress dater Adam Duritz. That said, Sister Hazel might lean a little much on the easygoing with 2004's Lift. The album is a wrinkle-free landscape with its emotions and instrumental points demarcated and annotated for quick and simple consumption - Lift is like Lean Cuisines for casual music fans. Opener "Surrender" offers come crackle, and its chorus is energizing and true. "Green" is as catchy as anything Train has ever written, so there's no reason why it shouldn't be a adult alternative chartbuster. Overall, the album's soft-toned production is like an enormous goosedown pillow of feelgood rock. Sister Hazel won't get you thinking too deep about anything, but they probably go great with coffee and Saturday mornings. Of course, that means you actually have to be up on Saturday morning.