Album Review: A Brief View of the Hudson “Querencia”

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A Brief View of the Hudson has spent the last decade or so charming local music lovers with their Americana-tinged, salt of the Earth folk-rock. Fronted by Ann Enzminger (vocals/acoustic guitar) and Nick Nace (vocals/guitar), they served up their rich mix of tunes for the long running comedy show, Tell Your Friends!, for a handful of years. As a five-piece, they had been keeping the Bowery Poetry Club crowd company as resident house band before its closure. And now, they finally bestow the flawless beauty that is their long awaited full-length, Querencia.

Honestly, it’s hard not to fall for Querencia from the start. These 14 songs are incredibly well crafted, laced with lilting country inflections and pristine guitar rock. Enzminger’s bright, powerful vocals are timeless and authentic as she croons through band classic “Wisconsin Window Smasher” and the gospel-flavored “Angels.” She and Nace make a dynamic pair throughout; the old-timey “Goldmine” and the spindly indie-folk of “Tilly” being two key highlights. And saxophonist Stefan Zeniuk and organist Paul Duffy’s burn through “Nighttime,” so brightly, so powerfully they’ll have you slow dancing in the dark for hours, no doubt.

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So what’s the story behind the exotic-sounding name Querencia? Well, there are a few theories making the rounds, but as Enzminger recently explained, it’s an “untranslatable Spanish word that indicates the place where you feel most at home.” Well, that certainly says it all doesn’t it? Head on home with A Brief View of the Hudson.

For more on Querencia, which drops January 22, click here.

And catch A Brief View of the Hudson at their CD release party at The Bowery Electric on Wednesday, January 23. Show kicks off at 8pm with special guests Madison Cano, Sean T. Hanratty & The Mighty Mighty, and Mon-tag.