Born in the blazing heat of a Deep South summer in 2009, the award winning band Homeless Hill quickly developed a local following that far outstripped their expectations. The guys: Front man and songwriter Darin Curtis, drummer Danny Savage, and bassist Adam Crump collaborated to create “Set It On Fire”, their first full-length album.
Now with their fourth member, Jonathan Foreman, (on lead guitar – previously Travis Denning) Homeless Hill is evolving and working on more recorded material – and this is sure to set the rock scene ablaze yet again. Influenced by rock ‘n’ roll greats such as Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus and Alterbridge this hard hitting quartet plan to burn it down, one song at a time.
Their album ‘Invincible‘ was released in June 2012. We had a listen:
Lead track ‘Break Away’ has a throbbing rhythm that grabs you by the twitching balls and will never let go. Then the pace shifts, and the song develops a smooth and sludgy riff. An imprudent bass noses its way in, just before a squeaky guitar gnaws at your raw-skinned nerves. The chorus, “I want to break away…” is grunge-filled – and it is reminiscent of The Foo Fighters. The final lucid guitar solo – with the angst filled vocal partnership – is so painful, that you may accidentally wet your pants!
‘Hold Me Close’ has a delusional fast pace, and an unusual flamenco-style guitar pattern. Sturdy tribal drums rummage about, and the valiant voice of Darin Curtis is expressive and virile. Solo guitar work sizzles like a steak on the hot grill. This is a hot and tasty number.
‘Broken Bones’ has sharp teeth and a furious breath. A nagging riff licks up and touches your neck, before giving you the shakes. Then the polished track ‘Oddball’ glides in like a ‘54 Eldorado. It creeps rather than roars. It is smooth and refined.
Acoustic track ‘They Don’t Know’ resembles ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis. It serves as an interlude before title track ‘Invincible’ crashes in, with it’s up-tempo rhythm and grumbling vocals. These clamber up the foothills before exclaiming freedom when they reach the heights. The inflamed guitar-work, from Travis, is as sharp as a palmetto blade on the cheek.
Darin’s Kroegeresque vocals get a proper work out on ‘Die Alone‘. This is the most ‘Southern Rock’ sounding track of the album. Full of peach fuzz guitar and almond peel percussion. The song begins solemnly, as dark clouds obscure the blanched sky. Then, without warning, guitars jagger down lightning rods of sheer sound across a joyless horizon. It is a murky mixture of shapes and Soundgarden-style dirty rock pioneering. An emotive and memorable piece.
‘Pirates’ begins with an alarming coil of guitar. It has a Latin pace. It’s a peculiar choice, and doesn’t quite fit in with the other tracks on this collection.
‘Wasting Gasoline’ concludes the album proper. This song has a bold, gandy-dancers beat. It’s as stiff as cotton-duck canvas left out to dry in the midday heat. An almighty rush of guitar is as dangerous as a copperhead that’s been pushed into your bib-and-braces. And the wailing solo guitar will make you wince and panic. But, basically, this is a proper ‘Good Ol’ Boys’ rock song. It may be gritty and oil soaked – but it will buff up your tail-fins no end. Thoroughly recommended.
– © Neil_Mach March 2013 –
Link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Homeless-Hill/
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