ARTiST: Hoots and Hellmouth
ALBUM: The Holy Open Secret
BiTRATE: 190kbps avg
QUALiTY: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.97 Final / -V2 --vbr-new / 44.100Khz
LABEL: MAD Dragon
GENRE: Indie
SiZE: 51.35 megs
PLAYTiME: 0h 35min 54sec total
RiP DATE: 2009-05-30
STORE DATE: 2009-06-02
Track List:
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01. Rest of the Industry 2:41
02. You and All of Us 4:04
03. Watch Your Mouth 3:19
04. Three Penny Charm 3:56
05. Ne'er Do Well 4:21
06. What Good are Plowshares (if We 3:29
Use them Like Words)
07. Family Band 3:15
08. Dishpan Hands 3:36
09. Known for Possession 2:58
10. Roll, Brandywine, Roll 4:15
Release Notes:
--------
When I get a CD from a band IÆve never heard of in the mail for review, a lot of
times I trash the band bio that comes along with it. The reason I do this is
IÆve found a lot of bands that make good music write bad bios. Or they at least
have trouble describing their music. So, to give them the benefit of the doubt,
IÆll listen to the music, then, if I want more info about them IÆll check out
their website or dig the bio out of the trash. When I received the latest
release from Hoots and Hellmouth I figured IÆd read the bio because I already
knew a good bit about them. The band is from Philadelphia, they play good roots
music, I have their previous release and I had seen them perform a killer show
about six months prior. Now, I wish I hadnÆt of read the damn bio. And its all
because of the opening statement which reads, ôHoots and Hellmouth make new
music for old souls.ö I hate that ôold soulö saying. IÆm not sure why, but it
conjures up images of dirty hippies that smell like dusty old army blankets and
petruli oil.
Anyway, if you overlook the whole ôold soulö reference, what you have is a damn
fine disc from a damn fine band that knows how to play and write a catchy tune.
From the uptempo stomp of ôWhat Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swordsö
to the funky falsetto (see Prince) of ôWatch Your Mouthö these guys grab a
melody and milk it until your foot is tapping whether you want it to or not.
Listen closely and youÆll hear expert guitar and mandolin runs mixed throughout
the disc along with tons of old spiritual references including, but not limited
to, ôDo Lord, Do Remember Meö, ôLet My People Goö and ôIt Is Well With My Soul.ö
The end product is a very well rounded album thatÆs a fun listen, but to get the
real feel go see these guys live. If you do, and then buy the album, you (and
all of us) will be converted to the church of Hoots and Hellmouth. Have a
blessed day. (WhatÆs up with that statement? ItÆs almost as bad as ôold
soul.ö)
RIYL: Avett Brothers, Justin Townes Earle, rusty nails in your beer