Album Kindly submitted by KG Music Press
Style : Americana
Rate (1-5) :
If you like Tom Waits, Neil Young and Townes Van Zandt, then chances are big you will become a fan of James Houlahan. Multitudes is already his third album, but the first one that comes to my attention. Leading track “Fires of Mercy” is a waltz that immediately put our thoughts on Tom Waits. On “The Rogue Song” James Houlahan throws in some good old fashioned cow-punk attitudes and on “See Me Through” he does something only a good artist can do. The tune is totally cliché and James Houlahan isn’t the greatest singer as well, yet he creates something so beautiful you’ll instantly forget about those not so good things. “Mystery Earth Song” is yet another tune that makes this album interesting. Again a simple tune, added atmospherics and unusual instruments and you have something that keeps you focused for the completely duration of the song. And while talking about added atmospherics, try “Marcy’s Lament” for a change. This one is a standard rocker but thanks to the percussion/noise it’s once more a tune that is at least ‘interesting’. On “Home” James Houlahan returns to a soft country sound that is much more radio friendlier then the previous mentioned ones.
“Multitudes” is something you really need to discover. It’s definitely not love on first sight but it is one of those albums that grows on you with every spin, and while not every song on this album is equally strong, the sum of them all is definitely bigger then each part.
Mr. Blue Bloogie
Rate (1-5) :
If you like Tom Waits, Neil Young and Townes Van Zandt, then chances are big you will become a fan of James Houlahan. Multitudes is already his third album, but the first one that comes to my attention. Leading track “Fires of Mercy” is a waltz that immediately put our thoughts on Tom Waits. On “The Rogue Song” James Houlahan throws in some good old fashioned cow-punk attitudes and on “See Me Through” he does something only a good artist can do. The tune is totally cliché and James Houlahan isn’t the greatest singer as well, yet he creates something so beautiful you’ll instantly forget about those not so good things. “Mystery Earth Song” is yet another tune that makes this album interesting. Again a simple tune, added atmospherics and unusual instruments and you have something that keeps you focused for the completely duration of the song. And while talking about added atmospherics, try “Marcy’s Lament” for a change. This one is a standard rocker but thanks to the percussion/noise it’s once more a tune that is at least ‘interesting’. On “Home” James Houlahan returns to a soft country sound that is much more radio friendlier then the previous mentioned ones.
“Multitudes” is something you really need to discover. It’s definitely not love on first sight but it is one of those albums that grows on you with every spin, and while not every song on this album is equally strong, the sum of them all is definitely bigger then each part.
Mr. Blue Bloogie