Search - Hothouse Flowers :: Home

Arousing and Convincing American Roots Music

dev1 | Baltimore | 08/07/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Should it surprise anyone that the best soul music of 1990 doesn't come from American, but from the Irish band Hothouse Flowers? Well, considering Ireland is the home of Van Morrison and U2, while we (America) got stuck with Mariah Carey, it doesn't shock me a bit. Home is a passionate mix of blues, jazz and soul - the rock attitude is evident, but the musical inspiration is rooted in American gospel. The bombastic and dynamic `Give It Up' has a sweet soul chorus that belongs in a God fearin' Baptist church. `Hardstone City' is a soulful rocker that would fit Tina Turner's stage act perfectly. With its dueling guitars and screaming fiddles, `Dance To The Storm' races forward like a stock car in the Daytona 500. The dance number sounds like it's from the Mississippi Delta.Liam O'Maonlai (lead vocals) reminds me of Van Morrison and Joe Cocker. Like Van Morrison, he's a sensational soul crooner (Sweet Marie, Trying To Get Through). And like Cocker, Liam often takes his emotions over the top. There's such a thing as "too much" vocal gusto, and Liam's enthusiasm often overpowers the music. Despite his vocal excesses, Home is a captivating collection of arousing and convincing American roots music form (of all places) Ireland."

SORT OF HOMECOMING

Chong Eu | East Asia | 06/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Hothouse's second album, released in 1990, and it's really good. If you like the first one, "People" in 1988, you'll love this. Their style remains the same, soft folk rock with loads of guitars, but this contains more exploration into traditional Irish instruments, giving it a more interesting mood of modern rock with a medieval atmosphere. This is a more rounded and mature album than the first."Hardstone" is an exciting opening piece, promising a great journey into "Home". You have some pop rock with "Giving" and "Movies". Their best ballads to date, "Christchurch" and "Home" takes you to the quiet plains of the countryside. Then you feel like you're back in ol' Ireland when "Water" comes in, jumping to the beat of "Dance" and settles with a traditional Irish piece in the closing. Phew !I kinda dig their modern folk style, mixing pop, ballad and rock with a tinge of traditional Irish mood. At times you can sway and dance to it, then you may lie down on the grass facing the sky. You'll really feel like home. You can't find this kinda music anymore. Even U2 sounded too rockish and now sound too poppish. This is the ultimate Irish soft folk rock album."

God's Music

dev1 | 06/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When times are slow in Heaven God, himself, listens to this CD to feel better about himself. This is the best band that never was... and it's a shame.."