A couple of years ago we all became enamored with Houndmouth after catching a set at SXSW. Since then, I’ve seen them another 3 to 4 times here in Chicago which heightened my appreciation for the Americana quartet from New Albany, Indiana – guitarist Matt Myers, keyboardist Katie Toupin, drummer Shane Cody and bassist Zak Appleby. While each member is blessed with a good looks and a better voice; they are treading in a musical landscape that has been well mined. So what makes them so special? Two things.
First, their tunes take you on a tour of a colorful cast of characters. Their debut introduced us to drug dealers, thieves and down-on-their-luck waitresses to name a few. Their ability to get you invested in a song’s protagonist over a 4 minute song is uncanny. The first time you hear the tunes on Little Neon Limelight is like reading eleven magazine stories where you anxiously await to see how the story ends.
Second, they are having a fucking great time. Their live shows are celebrations where it is tough to discern who’s having a better time – the crowd or the band. They bounce around between instruments, join in soaring four-piece harmonies and genuinely seem to enjoy each other. They remind me another HearYa favorite in that regard – Ha Ha Tonka. A band that truly loves each other and seems to enjoy every note they play. Amazingly, they are able to bottle that and reproduce it on their albums.
15 Years is a ripping good tune. Sung by bassist Zak Appleby, it is a blistering barroom blues tune telling the tale of a convict getting home to his love. The tune careens out of control before breaking down into a 4-piec gospel-tinged sing-along at the end where Katie Toupin’s vocals lift the tune to a new level at the end.
For No One sees Matt Myers channel his inner Dylan. I had heard a stripped down version of this where it was just Myers and his acoustic. The touches that producer Matt Cobb added to it really elevates the tune. Not to be outdone, Katie Toupin does a stripped down with Gasoline that is pure magic. I love to have the band in for a session and play this around Shirk’s old RCA mic that we used for our Low Anthem session.
My Cousin Greg is an homage to The Weight. Houndmouth wears the love of The Band on their sleeve and its a love I am more than happy to celebrate with them. This tune sees each member taking a verse joining up for the chorus, “If you want to live the good life, you better stay from the limelight.”
I was terribly worried that this album was going to be a letdown. I had concerns that they were going to be weighted down by success or pushed to become more radio-friendly. They not only avoided the sophomore slump; they took the sophomore slump out back and kicked the shit out of it. If you are down at SXSW, make it a point to catch a set. If you’re not there, make it a point to see them on tour.
Follow me on Twitter at @WoodyHearYa
Houndmouth is here
