Howling
Bells
Howling Bells
Howling
Bells tap into an ethereal energy, their particular brand of rock
is encompassed by a haunting, arty ambience.
The sound throughout this debut album, whilst being built on a
foundation of the darker elements of independent rock (The Velvet
Underground, Pixies, PJ Harvey), displays an deep understanding
of the pop aesthetic.
The emotion can be pinned on Juanta Stein’s self-assured
vocal performance, which is powerful with an unnerving ease, indicates
that she is a female-rock-icon in the making. Like the music the
vocals sound huge but strangely restrained.
First single ‘Low Happening’ struts to a pounding
beat, infusing Pixies-esque guitar screeches to startling effect.
The rest of the album matches its quality throughout, making this
an impressive debut.
The whole affair is dirty, sordid yet incredibly alluring and
optimistic.
In a world with any justice Howling Bells should kick start a
popular revolution indie rock sales out of the hands of ‘garage
bands’ and into the hands of intelligent song-writing and
big musical ideas.
by Chris Marks
