Midwestern rockers Ha-Ha Tonka have returned to Bloodshot Records for their sophomore effort, Novel Sounds Of The Nouveau South. With Harold Bell Wright’s 1907 novel The Shepherd of the Hills serving as the backdrop, Novel Sounds Of The Nouveau South doesn’t stray too far from the sound that the band established with Buckle in the Bible Belt. If anything, it’s more of a rock record than Buckle in the Bible Belt.
While Novel Sounds doesn’t contain any songs half as catchy as “St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor” from their debut, it is the opinion of this particular author that, as a whole, it’s a much stronger album. A nice step forward for these guys.
Check it out.
Ha-Ha Tonka – Walking On The Devil’s Backbone
Ha-Ha Tonka – Close Every Valve In Your Beating Heart
Ha-Ha Tonka – Hold My Feet To The Fire
Ha-Ha Tonka’s Official Site, Ha-Ha Tonka on myspace, Buy Novel Sounds Of The Nouveau South
Buckle in the Bible Belt was re-released by Bloodshot Records way back in September. At the time, the record came out to what could be considered an avalanche of press for the whole Americana/alt.country scene, so I decided there was nothing for me to add and I never mentioned it. Recently the album has managed to find its way back into heavy rotation around my house and since the Ha Ha Tonka drums have quieted a bit in the 6 or so months since the albums release, I decided to drop a few lines to remind everyone how good of a cd these kids released…in as many run-on sentences as possible.
Because, in all seriousness, it is an awesome album. Blending rock and roll with Midwest specificity and religion and country…but as I said, there is no shortage of reviews out there to read, so I’m gonna leave mine at: great rock and roll record in the vein of Two Cow Garage. If it has somehow managed to slip past your radar, you should add it to your “gonna buy” list. Albeit 1/2 a year to late, I’m gonna add it to my Essential Listening list now.
Ha Ha Tonka – St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor
Ha Ha Tonka – Caney Mountain
Ha Ha Tonka – Hangman
