Artist: Spook Houses
Album: Trying
Label: Evil Weevil
Genre: Rock, punk
Comments: I've actually seen Spook Houses play before at a small little venue about 30 minutes from my house. The group originally hails from Ridgewood, N.J., but it's largely associated with a scene centered around Purchase, N.Y. Due to both its location and sound, Spook Houses is often compared to indie giants like Titus Andronicus and Real Estate. (Real Estate actually asked Spook Houses to play a benefit show with them this past summer.) It's funny to see a small, fairly local act reach its way to a Lexington, Va., radio station, but Spook Houses certainly deserves recognition down here. Since the release of their debut LP, Trying, last month, the band has garnered considerably good press, even making it on to the front page of SPIN's website.
Spook Houses uses familiar elements in a very pleasant combination. Fuzzy guitars and the occasional brass instrument give Trying a warm feeling throughout, complemented by vocal deliveries that combine low, lazy wallowing and higher near-screams in an astonishingly successful way. When placed together, these elements convey a sense of humility, fitting given the behaviors of slacking off evident in the album's lyrical content. Although tracks like "Search For", "Bad Sound" and lead single "American" certainly have a lot of energy to them, Spook Houses' sound doesn't sound like it moves very much. This interpretation of their sound might come from having heard the title track from their Home EP one time too many, but it causes this listener to get a much-appreciated sentimental vibe from the band. Spook Houses has an unpolished sound that they've made work really well on this record. Personally, my favorite songs on this album are "Old Folks" and "Garden", which, when played in succession, create a very gradual and wonderful rock crescendo.
Here's to local kids making it big. Play tracks 4 and 5 together, then go with 3, 1 and 9.
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