How The Hooten Hallers' new album upholds their place as one of Missouri's best bands
The Hooten Hallers have little left to prove.
Fifteen years into its existence, the Columbia-formed trio sits near the head of the class of Missouri bands. Not just of its generation, but all-time. On the strength of a signature sound — exploring shades of the blues and erasing border lines between regional styles of rock 'n' roll — The Hallers have criss-crossed the country and played across oceans.
But you wouldn't know it by listening to them. From the first note to the last strain of their latest, "Back in Business Again," the band sounds as ravenous and rambunctious as ever. Taking their sound — but not necessarily themselves — serious, the trio delivers another gem in an already-rich roots-music catalog.
The trio rolls in like a storm on the opening title track, John Randall's guitar and Andy Rehm's drums supplying the lightning and thunder for this hard-charging boogie. Kellie Everett's saxophone bobs and weaves like rays of light through the chaos, adding striking color. The band's rhythmic punctuation here is potent, a series of dizzying blows.
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Everett ushers the next track, the ZZ Top-esque "The Cobbler's Children," into being. As they have countless times, the band creates a devilish vocal blend on the hook; Randall's growling bluesman lead met by Rehm's otherworldly high harmonies.
"Show Me" offers one of the strongest melodies on the record, with Randall selling his need for a trustworthy love over a pitch-perfect early rock feel.
One of the coolest threads to run through "Back in Business Again" is the band's vocal approach; both building on and subverting the classic Randall-Rehm duet, they unveil dynamic new sides of their sound.
The pair flip roles on "Now That I Know," with Rehm offering a kinder, gentler lead and Randall supplying grit and ballast. Album closer "Even the Blues Get the Blues" gives Everett a turn at the mic, her vocals shot through with a compelling, mysterious quality that only accents the song's noir-ish, 1960s rock vibe.
Elsewhere, "Cat Scrap" chases a swirling, soulful feel through the juke joint; "Vankiller" opens with serious skronk, like free jazz for punk-rockers.
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Two late-album highlights form a darker, more dangerous form of dance music. "Broke the Spell" playfully sashays, its personality only enhanced by call-and-response vocals and a righteous Everett solo.
Though separated by a track, "Straight Down the Line" pairs well, its gliding, light-as-air rhythms framing a killer Randall vocal — delivered at the corner of confidence and regret — on the chorus.
If no proof of The Hooten Hallers' greatness is necessary, consider "Back in Business Again" a welcome reminder. The band's gleefully gritty sound never misses the mark, and their clear willingness to explore its every dimension ensures The Hooten Hallers' continued sway over anyone within earshot.
The band will celebrate the album's release with a show Friday at Rose Music Hall; Fox Teeth shares the bill. Tickets are $12-$15. Visit https://rosemusichall.com/ for more inform.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: New Hooten Hallers album upholds status among Missouri's best bands
