Houndmouth’s first two records, 2013’s From the Hills Below the City and 2015’s Little Neon Limelight, conjured the majestic charm of none other than Americana masters The Band. Frontman Matt Myers’ affected croon cut through jangly guitars and atmospheric organ on tunes like the quartet’s breakthrough song, “Penitentiary,” which drew internet buzz and eventually perked the ears of Geoff Travis and Rough Trade Records, which released Houndmouth’s first two efforts.
But things changed radically when it came time to record 2018’s Golden Age — and it wasn’t just the departure of keyboardist/backing vocalist Katie Toupin and the switch to major label Reprise.
“I’m trying to look at things in the big picture, and it probably doesn’t make sense to many other people,” Myers said in a 2018 interview with CLTure. “We had these two records and a solid Americana Folk sound, and I decided that I was tired of that. I was tired of that music. I was tired of that whole scene. I really like that kind of music, but I was just over it.”
Golden Age’s title track is a perfect example of the Indiana band’s new approach, chugging along via booming drums, fluttery synths, funky guitar lines and choruses big enough to bring comparisons to MGMT at its most accessible.
Most curious of all is “World Leader,” the album closer, which rambles along by way of junkyard rhythms, processed guitar lines and vague lyrics that seem to bemoan a love lost. It sounds like R.E.M. filtered through Captain Beefheart, which, depending on your perspective, could either be intriguing or troubling.
Houndmouth returns to Greater Cincinnati this weekend for a two-night stand at Newport's Southgate House Revival Friday and Saturday. Music starts at 8 p.m. each night.
