To capture the magic of city Lupus, located on the coast of powerful Missouri, and its famous Chilli Fest, it is enough you play the newest album by Hooten Hollers. You will immediately find yourself in the company of enchanted queen Charlie and her 32 fellow citizens. The crowd is small, but carefully gathered. They like to have fun and sometimes they can fun to the extreme. One of the biggest assets o this release is that it represents a candid celebration of regional authenticity combined with DIY aesthetic. The band managed to stay under the radar all these years and maintain loyal to themselves and the small audience that admires and enjoys their work. From 2012, they have been releasing under Big Muddy Records, a label that is dedicated to nourishment, production and promotion of authentic American root music.
From growling vocals of John Randall and Andy Rehmods killer and stable rhythm to strengthful baritone and bass saxophone of Kellie Everett (this is her debut in Hoolers), this is Ozark Mountains root rock at its best, a lethal fusion of punk, blues and folk. According to the band's members, they make hillbilly soul music, which might as well be the most precise description of their expression and its essence is best preserved on Further From Shore and Knew You'd Come Around. The band performs at its pinnacle in blues killers such as Dig and Rhythm and Blues are. Albatros is a phenomenal cover of legendary host and musician from St.Louis, Bob Reuter; another homage to Missouri. The album is appropriately closed with two country jams: 200 Scrap Part II: Scrapper's Lament, and comical Staying Away From Joe.
The record was co-produced by Kristo Baricevic, one of the founders of Big Muddy Records, and Johnny Walker from Soledad Brothers. Guests include Ryan Koenig of Pokey Lafarge's South City Three and ex-member of Hooten Haller, the glorious Paul Weber. I am seriously considering this album for the album of the year, although the competition is strong.
