Houndsmouth EP
I'm not sure when country music became the slick, earthy sound that we are being presented with now. Whoever the pioneers were, I salute you! Because long gone are the sideburns and the garish shirts, they have been replaced with full beards and lumberjack attire. The Banjo has been replaced with drumbeats and as a result you get modernised, homely sounds.
Houndsmouths debut EP is full of all that is good and more, they come with the rich sounds of the South. Matt Myers' vocals are drenched in Kentucky soul and as powerful as Bob Dylan ever was. When Katie Toupins sings she locates the band perfectly, singing with strength and a strong American twang. They are less pop than the Black Keys, less rock than Kings of Leon, landing someplace near the middle in a spot near the Alabama Shakes.
The first song on the EP is called Penitentiary and tells the tale of a man who after being unable to find work turns to crime and gets caught. Its jovial, fun and more like a sing-along at the local bar than an evening in the county jail. Houston Train is a folksy power ballad and a great demonstration of Kate Toupin's talent.
It is not often I'm left wanting more from a bands first EP. There is definitely wisdom, a polished and well-worked sound that left me listening to the EP a few times over. I would put this band down as a must for fans of the Alabama shakes and certainly consider them in the same league in terms of musical quality. I'm eagerly anticipating their next release!