Howling Bells - Radio Wars
Hailing from Australia, this four piece indie band has spent the last two years perfecting their newest album `Radio Wars` and it shows. The album is a little shoegaze, a little psychedelia and a lot of pop (think The last Shadow Puppets mixed with The Cardigans). Juanita Steinās wonderful voice helps lift the already well put together music and the result are very, very enjoyable.
`Nightingale`, which almost has a Berlin feel to it, really showcases Juanita`s voice as she sings "come sing with me, a melody, in the dark of the night". `Let`s be kids again` is a mellow tune in which Juanita dreamily sings about how "life was so simple then" before closing the song with coos and a wall of guitars sonically taking the listener into their past. `Golden Web` has a drum machine backing up Juanita`s vocal before the fuzzy guitars and keyboards sweep in. The album closer, `How Long` , has Juanita asking "how long, before I`ll let you go" with not much more than pulsating kick drum and horns as backing. By the time you are done with `Radio Wars` you will find it (along with Juanita`s voice) to be moody, sweet and enthralling.
The Howling Bells are very talented and they seem to be growing as a band (having made an album that is a bit cheerier than their last, thankfully). I am looking forward to seeing what they do next.
Between this and the new long player from The Duke Spirit...we are in for a good year, musically speaking of course.
8 out of 10
Here is the video for 'Cities Burning Down'.
Catch the Howling Bells on tour!
London at St Michaels Church, Camden | More Info | |
London at The O2 Arenawith Razorlight | Buy Tickets | |
Manchester at MEN Arena Manchesterwith Razorlight | Buy Tickets | |
West Palm Beach at Cruzan Amphitheatrewith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Atlanta at Lakewood Amphitheatrewith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Pelham at Verizon Wireless Music Center Birminghamwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Virginia Beach at Verizon Wireless Amphitheaterwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Bristow at Nissan Pavilionwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Hartford at Meadows Music Theaterwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Hershey at Hersheypark Stadium & Star Pavilionwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Camden at Susquehanna Bank Centerwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Saratoga Springs at Saratoga Performing Arts Centerwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Scranton at Toyota Pavilion At Montage Mountainwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn | Buy Tickets | |
Burgettstown at Post-Gazette Pavilionwith Coldplay and Pete Yorn |
The Howling Bells Myspace!
The Howling Bells Website!
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