ARTIST: Hoots & Hellmouth
TITLE: Hoots & Hellmouth
LABEL: Mad Dragon
GENRE: Indie
BITRATE: 201kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 43m total
RELEASE DATE: 2007-04-24
RIP DATE: 2008-02-19
Track List
----------
1. Want on Nothing 3:17
2. Home in a Boxcar 4:21
3. The Good I Know You Know 3:44
4. Abattoir Altar Boy and Girl 2:57
5. Two Hearts, A Snake and A 3:07
Concubine
6. Home For Supper 3:21
7. Rattle These Bones 4:14
8. Forks and Knives 4:08
9. Backwoods Don't Lie 4:58
10. This Hand is a Mighty Hand 4:35
11. West of Where the Sun Goes Down 5:10
Release Notes:
Produced in collaboration with fellow Philadelphian Brian McTear (Capitol Years,
Matt Pond PA, Bigger Lovers) at his Miner Street/Cycle Sound Studio, the album
gives powerful evidence that the band has concocted a musical blend of
roots/revival sensibility with a healthy dose of rock n' roll energy that is all
their own. Starting with the core instrumentation of two guitars (Hoots and
Hellmouth), mandolin (Rob Berliner), upright bass (Tim Celfo), three-part
harmony vocals and foot stomps, the band worked in conjunction with McTear to
flesh out each song, adding drums, organ, additional voices and the occasional
accordion flourish.
From the gospel fury of the opening track, "Want On Nothing," to the subtle
understated beauty of "Backwoods Don't Lie," Hoots & Hellmouth's self-titled
debut presents a startling range of musical depth. Dedication to the craft of
songwriting is the common thread that connects songs such as the folk-inflected
"Forks & Knives," which leans heavily on the more traditional aspects of
Americana, to the modern soulfulness of "West Of Where The Sun Goes Down" as it
incorporates a swirling mélange of psychedelic organ and walls of vocals that
leave the listener enraptured, enveloped, enamored. Hoots feels that "working
with Brian really helped us to hone in on what each song demanded of us...we
became mere channels for the greater power of the music." The resulting record
speaks for itself in exuberant tones.