Search - Howlin Maggie :: Honeysuckle Strange

Underrated Rock and Roll

09/04/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Howlin' Maggie "Honeysuckle Strange" is an underrated rock and roll gem definitely deserving more attention than it has recieved thus far in our ailing industry. This album blends the best of modern rock hooks, stylish playing, and arresting lyrics into one complete emotional package. "Honeysuckle Strange" blasts out of the starting gate with "Miss Universe," a Hendrixesque rocker and finishes out the experience with "Long Live Doug" a swaying sing-along song garaunteed to connect the listener with this accessible band. Along the way are songs like "Alcohol" and "I'm a Slut" minor hits in their own rite with major curves and slick production. For those quiet, beautiful moments there are songs like "You Are" which puts this spinning planet at ease with itself and the prozac on hiatus. One cannot help but wonder why this band hasn't been embraced more by the rest of our Spice Girls culture...seeing as good talent is hard to come by. Talent is one thing that replenishes Howlin' Maggie like a waterfall. Beyond the songs are masterful, innovative musicians like drummer Jerome Dillon who gets A+ cards across the board, and guitarist Andy Harrison. Together these two guys add 32 flavors and then some to frontman Harold Chichester's songwriting efforts. I'm just wondering where the next album is and why this one has not recieved more attention? Long Live Howlin' Maggie!!!!"

Great debut, too bad nobody noticed

metheb | Seattle, wa United States | 08/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"During the demise of grunge and waning the "alternative" music scene, Howlin' Maggie released their debut CD - Honeysuckle Strange - a mixture of rock, funk, jazz, and pop hooks and melodies that (by most standards) was probably a little too potent for the latent alternative music fan to pick up (and saddled with very little label support) Honeysuckle Strange now languishes in used record bins across the country. But, there is no doubt that this band (in their hey day) can rock with the best of them.I'll never forget being told by my guitar instructor that his new band was playing at a small club and telling me to check them out. So, a few friends and I went on down and saw a quiet, intimate show where the lead singer was powerful and emotional - confined to a bar stool for the entire set due to a broken foot -his leg tied to the stool to keep him in place. This was my introduction to Howlin Maggie. Even at this early show in Columbus, OH all of the pieces that would end up on Honeysuckle were in place - Alcohol and Easy to be Stupid (a live staple that ended up on the Beautiful Girls soundtrack) were effortless and strong.Unfortunately, its sad to see a bad you love so much reach the heights of success (recording the CD and touring with the Afghan Whigs for nearly a year following the release) wallow in the mire of record industry beauracracy and eventually disintegrate. Fortunately, Happy is trudging on with new band members. Andy is working with several Columbus bands, and the drummer Jerome Dillon has landed a permanent gig on the skins for Nine Inch Nails. Hopefully Happy can hang on and keep playing the band's great songs and it will sound as good as it did the first time.A truly original and deep first effort that has sadly collected more dust than acclaim."

How can you go wrong with "I'm a Slut"?

Danteval | CA | 07/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard of Howlin' Maggie when a friend in OH sent me some of their music. When I heard "Alcohol" and "I'm a Slut," I went wild. These guys are great. Maybe it's just me, but I love hearing a man wail "I'm a slut..." For those of you out there who fell in love with the group because of "I'm a Slut" then check out Women in Technology's "Your Woman." It's also great.It's too bad they don't get much airplay here in CA. Definitely buy the CD though. It's a keeper."