First things first… This album was send to me for review before it was released. Around the beginning of April I think. So my apologies to the band for this late review. Pirate Farm Fest and my day-time job took away all my free time. After Pirate Farm Fest I didn’t stop working on other people’s projects until my body pulled the brake. I’m at home with a minor heart condition now so I have time to start writing again…

Seeing The Hooten Hallers for the first time sure is one hell of an experience. If you don’t know them and see them setting up you have no idea what to expect… “Are these guys a two men punk band, do they play blues, whoa shit… what’s that girl doing there with that big ass sax”? All this and more… If you do know what to expect, you know you are in for a party!

The new self-entitled album, was released on April 21nd, on “Big Muddy Records“. And before I start talking about the songs I’ll tell you this: It rocks, it swings, it’s a rhythm’n’blues’punkrocking’drenched-in-soul-freak out!!!

The Hooten Hallers bring something to the roots scene I’ve missed for a long time… A dirty take on swing and R&B but with a punk twist. The Kings of Nuthin’ come to mind from time to time and that is a huge compliment!

The album opens with “Charla”, an easy going tune gently pushed by Kellie’s sax that may put you on the wrong foot for the rest of the album, but a great song nonetheless. “Dig” is next, and now we know where this album will take us. The gritty vocals, the dark undertone… What a song! And that dark undertone is present in most of the songs, not always in the lyrics, it’s the use of instruments, notes that are been played, the atmosphere, the vocal use… Just listen to “Rhythm&Blues”…

It’s not all dark and gritty folks, don’t worry, check out the video below for “Further from Shore”, and the songs “Stay away from Joe” and “Garlic Dream”. Not my favorite songs, but hey… Taste is a… fuck it, you know what I’m talking about. That video on the other hand is funny as hell and I love a band that can make fun of themselves.

I can’t wait to see them on stage again and dance my ass off. I hope you can all join me once.

Buy the album below:
https://www.thehootenhallers.com/shop