Search - Howling Bells :: Radio Wars

Hauntingly Beautiful

Randy Q. Cron | Birmingham, AL USA | 06/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recently attended a Coldplay concert, which, of course, was phenomenal. However, I got the bonus treat of being blown away by one of the "warm up" bands, Howling Bells. They can headline for me anytime. I can see why Coldplay (also Snow Patrol and the Killers before this tour) invited them on tour. Some of their hooks could certainly fit on a darker Coldplay CD.



Howling Bells most reminds me of Muse with their prominent driving percussion, excellent guitar work, and appropriately placed keyboard segments. The big difference is the hauntingly gorgeous voice of lead singer, Juanita Stein. Her voice is near perfect. She could make any song pleasurable.



"Radio Wars" is Howling Bells' second release. You can find several of their songs on YouTube. My favorites from the album include:



"Cities Burning Down" - Sounds like a Coldplay or Muse tune, but with Juanita's vocal cords at the helm.



"Nightingale" - As cornball as this may sound, the hand clapping beat is genius for this song (also worked well in concert). A song with a simple hook that draws you in.



"Treasure Hunt" - A driving beat supports Juanita's ethereal voice. Backing vocals also work well on this track. Howling Bells knows how to milk but not suffocate a great riff.



While you're surfing the web, check out "Setting Sun" and "Low Happening" from their first album. I sure hope Howling Bells continues a climb to stardom providing us with audio treats like "Radio Wars" along the way. Maybe a 5 star CD would be nice. I can't quite give this album 5 stars; I reserve 5 stars for CDs like Natalie Merchant's "Tigerlilly"."

Great Follow Up Album!

Lisa Orlando | New Orleans, LA | 05/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Howling Bell's second album "Radio Wars" is a great follow up to their self titled debut album "Howling Bells." "Radio Wars" is an indie rock album that incorporates futuristic elements to create a truly unique sound. Juanita Stein's voice adds another element to Howling Bells that makes this band unique and interesting. If you love female fronted indie rock bands, you should definitely check this album out."

Welcome to the machine.

John W. Dunner | Atco, NJ United States | 10/01/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Singer Juanita Stein may evoke the Motels' Martha Davis, but whatever emotion she strives to bring to the mic is cinderblocked by the band's chilly arrangements and occasionally klutzy drum-machine programming (with the closing track's stuttering bass drum being the worst offender). Australia seems to breed inordinately creative bands (e.g., Midnight Oil, Crowded House, the Whitlams), but Howling Bells needs a bit more woodshedding on how to keep synthesizers sounding organic. Even Duran Duran managed to rock around the electronics. My biggest gripe, though, is over the totally superfluous song buried at the end of track 10 - after six full minutes of silence. Note to musicians: if a "bonus track" is that good, why hide it? If it's that bad, why include it?"