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.
the light reveals the place
Hood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before the streetlights (?)
Trying to get home
Hold me
Hold me
Coming back to see the day fade
(?) life is cruel, cruel
Hurt me
Shut the curtain (?)
See the (?) fade, fade
And now the (?)
(?)
Don't you ever wonder how I feel?
Look across the town as it sleeps
And the streetlights blaze
And the streetlights blaze
And the streetlights blaze
(?)
(?)
The lyrics to Hood’s song “The Light Reveals the Place” are somewhat cryptic, but there is a clear sense of longing and vulnerability in the words. The singer seems to be reaching out for comfort and support, asking to be held as they navigate the challenges of life.
The repeated phrase “hold me” suggests a deep need for emotional connection, perhaps in the face of some kind of difficulty. The mention of “streetlights” could symbolize the harsh realities of the outside world, and the singer’s desire to be protected from them. The verse “coming back to see the day fade, this life is cruel, cruel” could indicate a sense of disillusionment or despair, and the need for human connection in the face of that.
The lines “hurt me, shut the curtain, see the [light] fade, fade” are particularly enigmatic, but seem to suggest a desire to retreat from the world and its pains. The final lines of the song, “don't you ever wonder how I feel? Look across the town as it sleeps and the streetlights blaze,” seem to almost plead for understanding and empathy from the listener.
Overall, “The Light Reveals the Place” is a haunting and introspective song that speaks to the universal need for human connection and understanding in the face of life’s challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold me
Seeking comfort and security while feeling vulnerable
Before the streetlights (?)
In the uncertain darkness of the night
Trying to get home
Navigating through life's challenges towards a place of safety and familiarity
Hold me
Reaffirming the need for support and love
Coming back to see the day fade
Reflecting on the passing of time and the impermanence of life
(?) life is cruel, cruel
Acknowledging the harsh realities of existence
Hurt me
Bracing for pain and discomfort
Shut the curtain (?)
Closing oneself off from the outside world
See the (?) fade, fade
Watching the remnants of past experiences disappear
And now the (?)
Feeling lost and unsure
(?)
Expressing the ineffable nature of one's emotions
Don't you ever wonder how I feel?
Yearning for understanding and empathy from others
Look across the town as it sleeps
Observing the world from a detached perspective
And the streetlights blaze
Emphasizing the contrast between light and dark, safety and danger
And the streetlights blaze
Repeating the refrain to reinforce its significance
And the streetlights blaze
Continuing to emphasize the theme of light and safety
(?)
Ending on a note of uncertainty and introspection
Contributed by Noah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.