Cut Me Down  & Count My Rings
Artist:  Half Handed Cloud
Label:  Asthmatic Kitty Records
Time:  46 Tracks; 70 minutes

Half Handed Cloud is an indie/folk band comprised mostly of John Ringhofer.   He has been a member of Sufjan Stevens band during the Illinois tour and has also worked with Danielson.  Once you hear this record you won’t be surprised.  

This most recent release though isn’t a proper album release per se.  It is a huge collection of 46; yes 46 tracks of indie pop.  These tracks are made up of various B-sides, compilation appearances, download-only tracks, Christmas songs, and whatever else Ringhofer could find to stuff onto this single disc.  So if you haven’t been buying all the ep’s and dowload only tracks up to this point, you can now find them all in one nice package.

The instrumentation on this record is very playful and amusing, almost childlike as are all of his releases and most of the songs clock in at just around a minute or two. The production also comes across a very minimal but don’t be fooled.  These short vignettes aren’t lacking substance by any means.  Ringhofer also doesn’t shy away from spiritual matters at all in his lyrics.  He wrestles with many topics throughout these songs as he seeks out God.  

 Though this release is probably more for completists only there are some wonderful gems in this mix of songs that really highlight how wonderful of a songwriter and performer this artist is.  This is a very enjoyable release that has my kids jumping around the living room as they and I  have listened to it.

By Gar Saeger
1/14/10