by EMILY MELTON
Lifestyles Editor

After “All for You” graced the line-up of “Somewhere More Familiar,” Sister Hazel’s second album brought immediate success and popularity.

The song earned the band a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of Year Chart in 1997 and 1998, nearly reaching the top 10 for adult alternative hits.

The success anchored the album onto the Billboard 200 Albums of the Year Chart, causing platinum status. 
Soon, however, their spotlight began to shift.

Many years and several albums later, Sister Hazel fans have hoped for a release to equal that of “Somewhere More Familiar,” buying their time with songs that have been popular to Sister Hazel’s faithful audience, but receiving little national-acclaimed success.

The loyal audience, termed “Hazelnuts,” has waited for a new album since their last original album released in 2006.

They received solace last month, when the band produced their seventh original album, ever so creatively titled “Release.”

Continuing their traditional alternative-southern-rock sound, many of the songs on the album are heavily instrumental and upbeat, with slightly more of a country-sounding twist than their typical hits.

For an album released more than two decades after the band’s peak, the album is certainly impressive, especially considering its appeal to the same demographic.

Though it doesn’t match up to their original success of the ‘90s, it’s not bad, and probably better than the albums they have released in the recent past. 

After each underwent several years of heartache, death or divorce, each band member wrote at least two songs on the album, making it a mixed collection of personal stories and diaries.

It’s a sufficient break-up mix and an exceptional choice for one in the beginning stages of moving on.

For those happily single or content, however, the lyrics probably will not have such a strong connection.

My advice: purchase a few of the songs, but unless you are a fan, need it for a road trip or a long car ride, not the entire album.

None of the songs measure up to “All for You,” but several are worth a listen.

I recommend investing in “Release,” “Take a Bow,” “Walls and Cannonballs” and “Ghost in the Crowd.”

Unfortunately, Appalachian State University students will probably not be able to hear a live version of any of the songs this year.

Though the band has visited in the past, no plans have been made for Sister Hazel’s trip to perform on campus yet.

For the full tour date schedule, visit sisterhazel.com.

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