Their first releases were very limited vinyl singles on various different small, indie, and some now defunct, record labels, although 555 records who released '(The) Weight' in 1998 is still alive.
In 1994, record labels Fluff and Slumberland released Hood's first full length album, entitled 'Cabled Linear Traction'. It was a landmark for the band, some still say it's their best album. It had similarities to bands like The Cure, Sonic Youth and Pavement.
The album was issued on CD in 1999 by Slumberland, who also released 1996's 'Silent 88' album. The latter was similar sounding to 'CLT', but with much more experimentation going on and far more use of electronics.
A collection of limited and rare singles was put together by Happy Go Lucky records in 1997 and released on CD and vinyl, the vinyl version coming with a free 7" record.
In 1997, Domino Record Co snapped up Hood and released the single 'Useless'. A lo-fi indie electronica affair, not too dissimilar to the aforementioned '(The) Weight' released the next year.
Around this time Chris was releasing instrumental electronic material as Downpour, often involving heavily distorted drum and bass.
After another handful of singles and eps for Domino, they released the album 'Rustic Houses, Forlorn Valleys' in 1998. A dense, dark and tension building album, sounding somewhere in between Labradford, Mogwai and Massive Attack and produced by the band and Matt Elliott from Third Eye Foundation.
A year later came 'The Cycle of Days and Seasons', once again produced by Matt Elliott. With an ever changing line up still revolving around the two brothers, the sound of the band changed yet again, moving further into indie electronics.
Colaborating with friends Doseone and Why? from the Anticon collective came Hoods 5th studio album 'Cold House' in 2001, their most well known and collectively appreciated ablum. It contained elements of Post Rock, IDM, Indie as well as Doseone and Why?'s voice and lyric talents. Features the single 'You Show No Emotion At All'. Released on Domino.
In early 2005, Hood released 'Outside Closer', an emotional journey through ambience and hip hop beats. More line up changes occured, meaning this album was yet again different to the previous. Taking influence from The Remote Viewer, Prefuse 73 and Empress (the singer of which appears on the album). The tracks 'The Lost You' and 'The Negatives' were released as singles, featuring b-sides and videos for the tracks.
Since the release of 'Outside Closer' Hood have toured with Why? promoting his new album 'Elephant Eyelash' and released various remixes.
During 2006, Gareth S Brown, who played in the aforementioned tour, has been working on a solo album, due for release in November on Richard's girlfriend's label Misplaced Pets.
Currently due for release on record label anticon, is a solo album from Hood lead singer Chris Adams under the name of Bracken. The lead single from the album, titled 'Heathens', is due out in November, the album, titled 'We Know About the Need' follows in January.
In 2007 Richard Adams formed a side project The Declining Winter which has spawned a 7" The Future Sound of Hip Hop parts 1 and 2 and an album Goodbye Minnesota.
There are no plans for any further Hood releases.
Western Housing Concerns
Hood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the evening light
In (?) day
I praise (I know (?))
In solid lotion
Follow like that
Though the grey of the (?)
Final falls
Fading through the hours of (?)
Forget the world
As it passes by through evening skies
With the (?)
Rejection
In the right (?)
Interpretation:
The song "Western Housing Concerns" by Hood is a slow and melancholic piece that talks about feelings of loneliness and rejection. The first line, "Let me in", can be interpreted as a plea for acceptance or belonging. The singer seems to be looking for a sense of community and security, but they feel like an outsider who can't find a way in.
The second line, "In the evening light, in (?) day", creates an image of a transitional time - a moment between day and night, between light and darkness. This could symbolize the singer's state of mind, caught between hope and despair. They are searching for a way to connect with others, but they are also aware of the obstacles in their way.
The next few lines are more abstract and difficult to decipher. The phrase "solid lotion" seems to be a metaphor for something that provides comfort or relief, but it's not clear what it refers to. The line "Though the grey of the (?)" suggests that the singer is trying to see through a fog of uncertainty or confusion. The final lines, "Forget the world as it passes by through evening skies / With the (?) rejection / In the right (?)", emphasize a sense of isolation and disconnection from the world.
Overall, "Western Housing Concerns" is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of finding a sense of belonging in a world that can feel cold and unwelcoming.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me in
Allow me into your inner self or mind
In the evening light
During the time of day when the sun is setting, giving a unique appearance to everything around
In (?) day
During a period of time yet to be determined
I praise (I know (?))
I appreciate the beauty or value of something (even if I don't fully understand it)
In solid lotion
Using an often overlooked or unconventional approach to solve a problem or achieve a goal
Follow like that
To mimic or imitate something, possibly to avoid making mistakes
Though the grey of the (?)
Despite the negative or dismal aspects of a situation or viewpoint
Final falls
The end is approaching, whether it be a situation, relationship, or life itself
Fading through the hours of (?)
Slowly disappearing over the course of an extended period of time
Forget the world
To ignore or detach oneself from the stresses and worries of everyday life
As it passes by through evening skies
Life is constantly moving and changing, symbolized by the passage of time and the beauty of the sunset
With the (?)
In the midst of or accompanied by an undefined factor
Rejection
The feeling of being turned away or dismissed, possibly as a result of fear or misunderstanding
In the right (?)
In a situation or position that is morally or ethically justifiable or acceptable, despite potential backlash or disagreement from others
Contributed by Jordan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.