Decades ago, before the first rock and roll idols turned music into a product, musicians played music the way cobblers mended shoes and carpenters built homes. Welcome to the world of Will Hoge. I'm embarrassingly in love... more » with rock and roll, he admits. It's all consuming.
Draw The Curtains, Hoge's first album in two years, is a tour de force of authenticity, covering sounds from country and roots to rock, soul, and R&B. Washed by the Water and Silver or Gold gush with the passion and spirituality of Otis Redding-fired rock and roll while Midnight Parade resonates with the color and verve of early Springsteen. It's music the way it was meant to be played, with a rock-is-my-life, let's-hit-the-road attitude.
Hoge spends about 200 nights a year zig-zagging the country, doing what he does best. He headlines most of those dates, but has also played supporting slots for the Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket, North Mississippi All Stars and Drive-By Truckers, as well as appearances at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits. I bust my ass every night, he says. I load my own gear and mortgaged my house to pay the band. But if you want it, you have to be willing to bleed.
Hoge's music is the unwavering sound of a born rocker. He filters rock, soul, folk, blues and country through a prism of emotional authenticity and what emerges is undeniable.« less
Decades ago, before the first rock and roll idols turned music into a product, musicians played music the way cobblers mended shoes and carpenters built homes. Welcome to the world of Will Hoge. I'm embarrassingly in love with rock and roll, he admits. It's all consuming.
Draw The Curtains, Hoge's first album in two years, is a tour de force of authenticity, covering sounds from country and roots to rock, soul, and R&B. Washed by the Water and Silver or Gold gush with the passion and spirituality of Otis Redding-fired rock and roll while Midnight Parade resonates with the color and verve of early Springsteen. It's music the way it was meant to be played, with a rock-is-my-life, let's-hit-the-road attitude.
Hoge spends about 200 nights a year zig-zagging the country, doing what he does best. He headlines most of those dates, but has also played supporting slots for the Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket, North Mississippi All Stars and Drive-By Truckers, as well as appearances at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits. I bust my ass every night, he says. I load my own gear and mortgaged my house to pay the band. But if you want it, you have to be willing to bleed.
Hoge's music is the unwavering sound of a born rocker. He filters rock, soul, folk, blues and country through a prism of emotional authenticity and what emerges is undeniable.
"Will seems incabable of putting out bad music. Blackbird On A Lonely Wire, a previous cd, is one of our all time favorites and Draw The Curtains is moving to join the list. I was especially happy to see he included Washed By The Water the soulful gospel song he wrote after Hurricane Katrina. Everyone and their brother came out with post-Katrina songs but this is far and away the best musically and emotionally at capturing the spirit of New Orleans. We had heard him do it live and have never forgotten it. He shows his Nashville roots in The Highways Home and Midnight Parade, and the spirit of Dylan always shines through in his songs, but it is all his own plaintive, aching, unforgettable voice that lingers in your head for days. When I Can Afford To Lose, Dirty Little War, and I'm Sorry Now are standouts but the entire cd is an amazing listen. Nothing beats seeing Will live but this will keep us going untill we next get that chance."
Good, but not anywhere near his best.
Willis | North Carolina | 11/19/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE Will Hoge fan. I happened to stumble across Will Hoge when he opened up for Jump! at Appalachian State University in 2002. Since then, I've been the first to pre-order all his albums and the first in line at any show within a 3 hour drive of where I live. His last album, The Man Who Killed Love, was a 5 out of 5 masterpiece and a rockin' album that I had on repeat for months after I first purchased it.
Draw the Curtains, however, in my personal opinion is a bit of a let down to tell you the truth. I've been trying to convince myself otherwise, but the sheer fact that after the first week of it's release, I've gone on to other albums, specifically his previous work. There are a few good songs but a lot of the album seems out of place. Hoge consistently surprises his fans on each album by changing the arrangement of the songs he plays live, and usually it's for the better. This album, however, there were three songs that I felt were better live, before they were changed and would have fit perfectly on the album, pre-changes.
That being said, Hoge's live shows are unbelievable and a throw-back to what music is all about; giving everything you've got each and every show to prove yourself to the 1 or 2 new potential fans in the crowd. I'll never stop going to Hoge shows and I hope to hear more albums in the near future."
Good Album By A Great Musician
Eddie | Marietta, GA | 07/29/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First and foremost, before you buy any of his albums, go see him live. You won't be disappointed.
Now, the review. This album is a good album that definitely needs to grow on you. His previous rocker (The Man Who Killed Love), radio-friendly label album (Blackbird On A Lonely Wire), and indie/rough edged debut (Carousel) all seem to be a bit more upbeat, toe-tappable, and cohesive than Draw The Curtains, but by no means does that indicate that this is a poor studio effort.
This album is produced by Ken Coomer and Charlie Brocco, known for their work with Wilco. This is no secret when listening to this album. The music rolls around and keeps an even tone, much like Wilco albums do. There are some fast-paced breaks on the album (Sex, Lies, and Money & These Were The Days come to mind), but otherwise the album is paced...not overly slow, not overly fast...just paced, right down the middle. This works.
Hoge's lyrical prowess is still present, which definitely connects this work to his previous albums. Arguably, this is is most well-written effort to date. The songs are definitely radio-worthy as well, but with his in-between-the-lines variety of music, its doubtful any terrestrial radio will play his stuff with any regularity.
This album is definitely worth a listen.
Strong Tracks:
When I Can Afford to Lose (a brooding, melancholy take on desire)
Silver Or Gold (catchiness of unrequited appreciation, exemplified)
Washed By The Water (a touching, heartfelt, powerful tribute to NOLA)"
Another great work
Shaun R. Thacker | Walterboro,SC | 05/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Draw The Curtains, the latest from the talented Will Hoge, has not only lived up to his other albums,Bird On A Lonely Wire and Carousel,but it might even have surpassed them.Songs like "When I Can Afford To Lose","I'm Sorry Now", and "The Highway's Home" paint pictures that only Will himself can paint.He even includes a dedication to New Orleans in "Washed By The Water". A must have for any Will Hoge enthusiast,or even anyone not sure who he is.You'll be very happy you purchased it.But you don't have to take my word on it! Find out for yourself."
An evolution of an artist
S. Frank | Orlando, FL | 02/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Will Hoge has been my favorite music artist for many years. His soulful voice is strong, controlled and never disappoints. This new CD has a stronger hint of the blues and a slower beat than most his other CDs. "Sex, Lies and Money" is the song with the most rock. "Draw the Curtains" is a beautiful ballad. All the songs will get stuck in your head - amazing.
At first, this CD is not my favorite of Will's discography, but it reflects the wear and strain from his heavy traveling to play for us locally. I have grown to love this CD as much as all of his others. It took me awhile to adjust to the different mood of the songs.
I tell EVERYONE about Will Hoge because he is better than 100% of the crap people listen to in the mainstream. He could be universally loved if enough people knew about him!