Hoots and Hellmouth
(Mad Dragon)
Many articles about the Philadelphia-based Hoots and Hellmouth invariably mention the band's punk influences.I definitely hear the three-part harmonies, plentiful strings that include an upright bass, and old time foot stomps but the punk influence really escapes me. That's excellent, actually.
Every since the 2005 formation of Hoots & Hellmouth - named for acoustic guitarists/frontmen Sean Hoots and Andrew "Hellmouth" Gray - the band has dubbed its music "new music for old souls." That they don't tell you is just how knee-slapping, finger snapping that music sounds. On the band's sophomore disc Holy Open Secret, the Americana style is flying higher than the flag over the U.S. Capital. Not to be presumptuous, but this has got to be what The Carter Family had in mind when they pondered the fate of the country music genre they created.
Moving from an acoustic sound with plenty of gospel ("The Family Band,") into purer country ("Root of the Industry") to a more folk-textured sound (roll, Brandywine, roll) the duo shines. This is the difference between artists that are comfortable with their signature sounds and unafraid to dip into other genres and those that cling to one genre like a barnacle for fear of becoming lost in the musical sea. Expect to hear a lot more from Hoots and Hellmouth as this sophomore disc is widely heard.
Standout Tracks: "The Holy Open Secret," "The Family Band" NANCY DUNHAM
