Album art for Frances Quinlan's new album "Likewise"
Frances Quinlan, singer and songwriter for Philly's great Hop Along, has announced her debut solo album, "Likewise," which will come out on January 31, 2020, on Saddle Creek. The first single from the album is "Rare Thing," a song that's about a dream Quinlan had about her niece (when her niece was a baby). "Rare Thing" is a gorgeous and affecting song for many reasons, not least of which because of the ways Quinlan very astutely outlines the emotional experience of being an aunt or uncle to a little one. This line in particular is incredible: "Yet when I come over/I love that quick delay/before your face alights/in recognition." One of the aspects of Hop Along's music that I enjoy most is Quinlan's distinctive voice and you can hear the characteristics that make it so special in this line, the way she sings "over," there's so much depth there, with an almost hidden undertone of roughness, and it sits so well within the bright surface of her voice. You can hear it later in the song too, the final time she sings about a realization she's had via her relationship with her niece: "I know there is love that/doesn't have to do with/taking something from somebody.""Rare Thing" is a beautiful song and makes me excited to hear this album (along with the fact that Quinlan covers one of my favorite Built to Spill songs, "Carry the Zero" for the last track)."Likewise" tracklisting1. Piltdown Man2. Your Reply3. Rare Thing4. Detroit Lake5. A Secret6. Went to LA7. Lean8. Now That I'm Back9. Carry the Zero (Built To Spill cover)[Pre-order Likewise]