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Hollow Songs is just about the most perfect gift that could be offered a fan of The Violet Burning. Michael Pritzl (the lead singer of the band) has taken six songs from recent albums and performs them here with a sparse, organic arrangement of acoustic guitar and piano. In addition, there is a Bob Dylan cover and a brand new song. As soon as I pressed play, I was all smiles.

The album opener is the Dylan song "Ring Them Bells." The vocals are a bit different than what we are used to from Pritzl on other albums, but the deeper approach works really well here. The gospel flavor of the song makes for a great cover. Three of the albums songs come from the Gravity Show CD. "Gone, Gone, Gone" and "Perfect Day" are the most notably different with the synthesizers gone and replaced by soft guitar and piano. The stripped down arrangements really allow the songs to sink in more than ever before. "Halo" is the other Gravity Show song. It's not near as big of a departure from its original version as the other songs, but it works equally well here as it did previously.

One of my favorite songs on This is the Moment (last year's VB release) was "I See Stars." Here Michael Pritzl turns the song into something totally different, but somehow even better. Performed on a piano, this could be one of the most touching love songs I've ever heard. "Heaven Holds My Heart" and "The Only One" are both very good in their new forms as well. These songs show the spiritual emphasis that is present in Pritzl's work, though many times it is much more subtle.

The album's closing track is "Assassin Boy," a brand new song that Pritzl collaborated with Eric Campuzano (of The Prayer Chain) on. At nearly eight minutes long, this could be one of the most unique masterpieces of Pritzl's career. Distorted electric guitar peformed over a soft, slow electronic beat provides the background for this affecting look at mistakes and healing.

Though at first glance this album might appear to be a b-side type of release, only necessary for hardcore fans of The Violet Burning, I beg to differ. This could easily find new fans for the band's music. It is also one of the best releases to come from Michael Pritzl, all projects accounted for. This is a fantastic album that deserves to be heard by anyone who appreciates great songwriting and meaningful music.

Trae Cadenhead  4/14/2004