Pitchfork

Furthering their countrypolitan sound and following the February release of rarities collection No Word From Tom, Hem will release Funnel Cloud, their third proper full-length, September 5 on Waveland Records. Members Dan Messe and Gary Maurer produced the album, which includes contributions from the 21-piece Gowanus Radio Orchestra, Ollabelle vocalist Amy Helm, and ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist and man-about-town James Iha, who sings on "Not California" and "The Pills Stopped Working".

Hem will tour in support of Funnel Cloud, and for a taste of what that will be like, you can download the exclusive MP3 the band have shared with Pitchfork, a live version of new tune "Reservoir".

The band's collaborative spirit even extends to Hollywood, if you believe Mandy Moore's official MySpace blog. In a recent post, Moore talked about recording with the band in preparation for her upcoming album. "'Girl next door' fronts countrypolitan band." It's almost too perfect. Hem also contributed the song "Half Acre"-- from their debut record Rabbit Songs-- to a recent Liberty Mutual commercial, a no-good-deed-goes-unnoticed affair with a "surprise" ending that's at least worth a look.

Funnel Cloud Tracklist:

01 We'll Meet Along the Way
02 He Came to Meet Me
03 Not California
04 Funnel Cloud
05 Too Late to Turn Back Now
06 The Pills Stopped Working
07 Hotel Fire
08 Great Houses of New York
09 Curtains
10 Old Adam
11 The Burnt Over District
12 Reservoir
13 I'll Dream of You Tonight
14 Almost Home

Dates:

09-09 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theatre
09-10 Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
09-12 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
09-14 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
09-15 San Diego, CA - House of Blues Side Stage
09-20 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
09-23 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
09-25 St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill
09-26 Chicago, IL - Martyrs'
09-27 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre
09-28 Madison, WI - Café Montmartre
09-30 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Tavern
10-01 Cincinnati, OH - 20th Century Theatre
10-02 Ann Arbor, MI - The Ark
10-04 Atlanta, GA - Smith's Olde Bar
10-06 Nashville, TN - 3rd & Lindsley
10-07 Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theatre