Howling Bells- The Loudest Engine
Vast, raw and stiflingly hot, 'The Loudest Engine' is Howling Bells' Las Vegas-recorded third studio album and it couldn't be a greater product of it's surroundings if it tried. The Australian-formed quartet have really challenged themselves with this latest release, dipping into a blend of more classic sounds as well as setting the bar higher in terms of vision and depth.
From the first attitude-laden strum of guitar in the opening bars of 'Charlatan', the album assumes the character of a weather-beaten figure that's traversed the breadth of arid rocky landscapes with a pocketful of stories to share. This was an record written on the road, the sense of voyage and experience driving every beat and inspiring lyrical content throughout. Despite coming from a new place, Howling Bells still play to their strengths and have a firm grip on the creative identity which has become loved by so many- notably the presence of Juanita Stein with a mic in hand. Latest single 'Into The Sky' capitalises on the gorgeous sound a powerfully wistful female vocal can bring to a bass-heavy rumble of bluesy garage rock that BRMC would be happy with.
At it's core, the flavour of this record is neo-psychedelic. It's got it's roots and influences firmly in the 70s, where the grooves were deep and the sounds large. It does feel like a natural progression for a band who have drawn such influence from the greats like Hendrix and Reed in the past, and it certainly shifts their usual feel of indie rock up a gear. 'Don't Run' is an intelligently pitched slower paced track, bringing in country-tinged elements to develop a rich swell amid the haunting harmonies and steady guitar strum. This feel of the American wild is taken in another direction with the background sound of 'The Faith' sounding like something that could have appeared on an Ennio Morricone soundtrack- a bravely epic angle to achieve.
If you were to listen to one track to get a taste of this album's intentions, make it the title track. Loaded with retro riffing, some stunning solos and psychedelically harmonised vocals, the 70s sounds has never seemed so fresh. Throw in those few touches of guitar usually symptomatic of a band like QOTSA, you will fully understand this new chapter of Howling Bells. 'The Loudest Engine' is bold, ballsy and it's really rather beautiful.