Humming House are one of the most exciting roots acts I’ve come across in quite some time. Mixing pop, folk, bluegrass, soul, Irish music and a whole host of other tidbits, their debut album and full touring schedule garnered them praise from publications such as NPR, Roughstock, American Songwriter and The Bluegrass Situation. They took to Kickstarter to fund their sophomore album, titled ‘Revelries’, and with an early 2015 release planned they decided to do something different in the interim. Inspired by The Beach Boys ‘Party!’ album, they gathered a group of their closest fans and friends for an intimate house party and recorded it, complete with laughter, ad libs, cheers and chatter. The thirteen-track record that resulted consists of songs from their debut, unreleased tracks and covers, including a sassy, string-band version of Justin Timberlake’s ‘My Love’, and a sultry, passionate rendition of Michael Jackson’s classic ‘Billie Jean’.
All things told, it’s an extremely capable record. It could easily stand on its own as a collection to be celebrated, and indeed I enjoyed it a huge amount as the first time I had ever listened to them. They are incredibly talented musicians and vocalists, and the sheer complexity and energy of what they’re playing here is to be greatly admired. There is so much energy, in fact, that it is impossible not to get involved yourself, foot-stomping, hand-clapping, whooping and head-bobbing. Their live presence as a group is powerful and charismatic, and almost overwhelming when they all go full-pelt. But this is not just a standard live album, and the fact that this has been recorded as a jam among an intimate array of friends in a house rather than a dedicated performance venue only does it favors. The chatter and laughter of the spectators make the listener feel like they are also in attendance, and it feels very inclusive and welcoming.
Sometimes they interact with the crowd, and ‘Story Time’ is an especially funny and captivating couple of minutes in which they joke around and tell a story that moves into the narrative behind ‘Tower Park’. The band are loose and free and clearly have a great relationship, the good mood emanating through the speakers as they flow freely through the story and the set in general. Though they have their quieter, more acoustic moments in song, much of the record is as representing of a party as one could possibly get, and certainly it just exudes fun, joy and youthfulness. This album can be enjoyed as an introduction or as an addition, and is definitely one of the best live records I’ve ever heard. It feels like you’re there, especially as it closes on the popular folk song ‘Barbara Allen’, that turns into a huge sing-a-long with the crowd, accompanied by appreciative claps and cheers. In fact, all that’s missing is a DVD of the show.
Don’t fancy going out into the rain and the cold this fall? Stay in with the ‘Humming House Party’. I guarantee it’ll be a great time, and you don’t even have to wear pants.
