His lyrics are masterful and I can easily see him becoming the most important singer/songwriter of this decade.
the music is gorgeous introspective folk. The melodies seep into the body as they slowly stride forward with poetic lyrics flowing from a voice that calls on Nick Drake. Hip Hatchet is highly recommended.
Hip Hatchet is Philippe Bronchtein and spending ten minutes with his album, the power he has as a songwriter becomes clear. His voice is a mixture of Nick Drake and Matt Berninger but his greatest tool is the pen…The lyrics are honest, sad, funny, introspective, metaphorical, and ultimately poetic. Like Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, Bronchtein mixes stripped down humor with honest self criticism. This is an introduction to the best new act of 2010. Hip Hatchet demands your attention.
-Zach from welistenforyou.blogspot.com
Men Who Share My Name, with heartwarming, piano-driven ballads evoking memories past. The most impressive part about the sound is something we often tend to overlook: the instruments remain sparse – while there are several on display, they only make sporadic contributions to the sound, saving us from anything superfluous. – Lee from www.knoxroad.com
Philippe uses these influences as a foundation for his own minimalistic and time sensitive arrangements. His deep vocals meld well with the winter coat of harmonies that cover this album and take the listener to a place of comforting seclusion
http://katarokkar.cribble.net/
Indeed, the album reminds me of the wide-open Vermont spaces that I’ve so often wandered – especially those moments when the Sun finally fades, and one is left only with conversation to hold the night back. To me, the sound of this album seems imprinted by Winter and woodland, and carries all the warmth and determination of a soul that has passed through those things time and again. -Shh…Listen
Wonderfully poetic, deeply introspective songs about heartbreak and weariness that bring to mind a cross-breeding of Nick Drake and The National’s Matt Berninger. -Bears Eat Beats
his deep but soothing voice could be the blanket of “hushed” atmosphere of any fall day from the North East state. I can’t say enough about how $2.00 will get you 10 tracks from this guy – use headphones as well, wander around with this as your soundtrack – perfect! –slowcoustic
Cover Lay Down
Hip Hatchet, whose lovely new album Men Who Share My Name, available for just two bucks on Bandcamp, is on target to become one of my favorite field listens during my impending absence, thanks to shades of Nick Drake’s performance and songsmithing, Arborea’s rural atmosphere, and a delightful chamberfolk-meets-nufolk production dynamic, full of rich horns and strings. -Cover Lay Down
Philippe’s voice is unique indeed, and it somehow lends itself unusually well to telling a story…which is exactly what these well-written songs do best. You’ll also enjoy a foundation of softly picked acoustic guitar, strings and various woodwinds
Listen Before You Buy
The whole thing was conjured by Philippe from his experience of the ’09-’10 Vermont winter, which I gather was pretty damn bleak. It really shines through on the atmosphere of the record: it oozes the warmth and intimacy of a log-cabin fire-side sing-along.
Although the composition and orchestration is all Philippe’s work, he is joined by various companions on the actual recording (the apparently mononymous Amelia’s vocal harmonising being a particular stand-out). Even so, the tracks are dominated by his rich bass-baritone.
