Hundreds of Lions marks Erin McKeown’s first release on Righteous Babe and we could not be happier. Our relationship with Erin has spanned almost ten years since Ani invited her on tour in 1999 after hearing her album Distillation. In the decade since, Erin’s built a catalogue and career that has influenced a whole new set of songwriters in the way Ani’s music first inspired Erin.
Hundreds of Lions is Erin’s first collection of original songs since 2005’s We Will Become Like Birds. The album was recorded in a farmhouse studio in rural New England with producer (and longtime musical partner) Sam Kassirer. Strings, brass, and woodwinds intertwine with Erin’s voice to create an album full of dips and dives, mirroring the emotions of danger and desire.
“Santa Cruz” features playful drum beats, upbeat piano, and an infectious chorus that begs you to dance while “(Put the Fun Back in) the Funeral” slows down to an eerie pace offering a more atmospheric vibe. Hundreds of Lions, with its poetic lyrics and clever musical arrangements is a welcome addition to the Righteous Babe den!!
