The Prophet Hens - Wonderful Shapes Of Back Door Keys

Facts The Prophet Hens return for their second album, The Wonderful Shapes Of Back Door Keys. The Wonderful Shapes Of Back Door Keys delivers on the tuneful jangly promise of their debut album, Popular People Do Popular People (EUROPA7E 045LP, 2013). US music blog The Finest Kiss described their popular debut as "Chills meets Belle And Sebastian pop alchemy" before saying, "The Prophet Hens may be better than both" and making it their #2 album of 2013. Ringing the changes on this latest effort is the addition of bassist Robin Cederman's adventurous songwriting, on which keyboard player Penelope Esplin takes lead vocals. Her voice, the strong melodies, and richly detailed, dramatic story-lines are sometimes reminiscent of an Antipodean Neko Case. Robin's songs complement Karl Bray's minor-key pop numbers, which manage to be both melancholic and exuberant at the same time.