BIG ROCK RETURNS

Howlin’ Rain frontman Ethan Miller (of Comets on Fire) sings with a distinct hoarse growl, sort of Rod Stewart meets Leslie West, and his guitar attack recalls the wham-bended sonic assault of Blue Cheer’s Leigh Stephens. But it all rides a rootsy, dry-toned jangle that’s twice removed from the blues. Occasionally, the band gets munky, like on “In Sand and Dirt,” which could be a lost track from Cream’s Disraeli Gears. Live, Howlin’ Rain recalls the big, joyous rock of 1968-72 traces of the Allmans and Delaney and Bonnie. Miller, rhythm guitarist Mike Jackson, bassist Ian Gradek, drummer Garett Goddard and keyboardist Joel Robinew (with friends like Drunk Horse guitarist Eli Eckert), have been recording their second album, Magnificent Fiend, expected in January. Miller says where the loose, earthy Howlin Rain’ was recorded on the fly, without many re-takes, Fiend is cinematic, and more complexly constructed. “I think this is a pretty majestic record,” he says. There’s not a lot of flubs and kind of crappy, broke-dick moments, where you’re like, ‘Whoa! Yup, that’s definitely a bunch of guys in the studio who’ve had too many beers or something,’ which is kind of the vibe of the first one.” www.howlinrain.com

Powered by AkoComment 2.0!