I met and fell in love with the music of Jake Hill and Hayley Sabella separately. Separately, but equally as hard. I then fell in love again with their music together during an off chance at Club Passim when Jake joined Hayley on stage to sing together. I mean, it made so much sense, the 2 most talented singer-songwriters in Plymouth, they were already pals, so when they announced at that very show they would be joining forces to create the power duo that is “Billington Sea” I was ecstatic, but also not so surprised. Their debut as the group is a self titled EP of 5 songs (my favorite) where the two share the writing and lead vocal duties while also adding accompaniments to one another while the other is steering the ship. And, as one might expect, it is fantastic.
The first song off the EP immediately slips its fingers in between my ribs, grasps me tightly by the chest and will not let me go. The picked acoustic guitar is served by an almost metallic room echo that is completely unique. It sets the tone for the record right away, you are going to listen to these songs, and you are going to listen with you full concentration. Hill exclaims “one, two, buckle my boot” for some added humor. I think someone referred to this pairing as a “beauty and the beast” situation one night at Passim. Actually, it may have been Jake himself. Hayley sings with an complex and controlled vocal. She is able to command her voice like no one else I have ever seen. Jake, on the other end, has a gruff and natural break to his voice. Somehow these two manage to create one, gorgeous, harmonious sound with their differing voices. Remarkable, wonderful, and so damn charming I can’t help but smile when I listen. The “Ladder Song” is a self-aware narrative about working a tough job when you might rather be enjoying life.
I’ve been on the ladder all day
I prefer the ground but the ladder pays
Legs are burning, tempers turning
I’ve been on the ladder all day
“Red Tailed Romance” is a bit warmer and has a cozy feel to it. Sabella’s voice pushing the tale along, acoustic guitar chirping out, and still, I can’t get enough of those harmonies. So good.
The full band treatment with a steady rhythm section that they give “Goodbye Old Friend” is a great midway point, peaking the arrangements at a full point. With a great sing along chorus, its trods along steady, giving due attention to the subtle harmonies and words of the song stinging clear in your ear.
“Go Away” has Sabella taking the starting lead vocal duties…and makes me want to do anything but what the track’s title suggests. I eagerly head back to the first track and listen through all the way again at the end of the tune. The build of the track, at first sparse, then building with guitars and drums and keys. It’s well-groomed arranging, fit for commercial radio but still deep rooted in the singer-songwriter realm.
The important thing here is the fixture on songwriting…great songwriting. The two of these artists are juggernauts on their own, but their collaborative efforts here put them at a cut above the rest. Songs like “Goodbye Old Friend” have a repeatable line that is pop in delivery, but the rest of the lyrics in the song are affecting, tender, and thought about deeply in their penning. The juxtaposition of the break and grit in Hill’s voice with the beauty and faint delicacy of Sabella’s is an utter and complete joy. This is going to be a record a lot of folks will be talking about. Perfection.
GREAT SHOW ALERT: Billington Sea will be in Allston on March 23 at Great Scott alongside The Western Den and Kevin William. Tickets can be picked up at: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01004E42D8A46CBE?brand=greatscott and more info on the event can be found at the Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/1543974215888288