Strange Angels is an album that surely cannot fail to incite either empathy or unease in its listeners. Stripped down to the barest of musical canvases, Kristin Hersh breathes life into her oft-quirky lyrics with her ever-impressive voice in this more than worthy sequel to Hips And Makers. This is an often intimate album, packed both with beautiful moments and with goofy moments, though the strength of the former would serve to redeem the latter if they too did not fall into place with surprising ease. Armed only with acoustic guitar and a haunting vocal range this is both harsh and beautiful.
With the variety of moods to be found within Strange Angels even the seemingly ordinary tracks soon take on more admirable qualities with every listen. "Shake" surely provides the pinnacle of Hersh's talents, with the finest reconciliation of guitar and vocals - other highlights really depend on the mood of the listener, with "Like You" and "Gazebo Tree" often finding some place amongst them. If you enjoy the more poignant style of musical simplicity then listen to this album with an open mind and I challenge you not to feel anything. This is far from a perfect work, but for all its faults there remains the undercurrent of honesty that can make you only forgive and admire.