Hoots & Hellmouth bring ‘local’ Philadelphia sound to Wakarusa

Editor’s note: Peter Lewis, food and entertainment writer for The City Wire, has interviewed several of the bands expected to play at the Wakarusa music festival north of Ozark. He is also providing reviews of some of the bands to play Wakarusa. The festival is set to be held on Mulberry Mountain near Ozark, June 4-7.

review by Peter Lewis

When one’s mind is on music and the conversation turns to Philadelphia, rootsy Americana and gospel outfits don’t easily jump to mind. It’s an urban space. One might think of the Philadelphia Sound (i.e. The Delfonics, The O’Jays, etc) or perhaps The Roots. Even the catchy theme song to one of Philly’s most famous transplants, Will Smith, might come to mind.

This is an unfortunate association.  It is also one which the Philadelphia-based group, Hoots & Hellmouth are continually repairing with their never ending tour. 

Beginning in March, 2007 the group, Andrew Gray (Hellmouth), Sean Hoots, & Rob Berliner, embarked on a quest to promote localism. A theory that embraces the idea that live music fosters a sense of community, helping tighten the bonds of the populous. While it is a radical idea, it is also most certainly plausible. And though it is perhaps a small step in helping towards engendering a reversion to a more traditional sense of community in our increasingly independent virtual age, it is still a positive progression.  It is a noble step towards the future.

Despite the relentless tour pace, the band was still able to record their second full-length album, “The Holy Open Secret.” Comprising of 10 new tracks, the LP is set to be released on June 2nd. While there are many who chose to focus on manufactured electronic noises to further their artistic vision, Hoots & Hellmouth are decidedly traditional in their musicianship. The album is soaked with the spirit of an old-timey revival and heavily features acoustic guitar, mandolin, & the upright bass.

Aurally, it’s part rollicking good times and part somber recognition of reality. The variety of themes within the music alternate throughout the album. The opening track, “Root of the Industry,” is a powerful exhortation dancing around themes of economic stratification. Following this tune is “You and All of Us.” Listening to it, you can feel the loose spirit within the group. It’s not hard to imagine your living room filled with a few amiable musicians strummin, laughin, and clappin just for you. 

And while the first three tracks do hold the loose feel of an informal house party soaked with barley pops and backbeats, Hoots & Hellmouth quickly switch gears on the fourth track, “Three Penny Charm.” There is a slicker, almost pop sound on the track while the lyrics also veer off toward love and the inherent luck it sometimes takes to find it. The more subdued tack is kept on the next track, “Ne’er Do Well,” before heading back to a more raucous spirit with a deeply interrogative turn on “What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords?”

The loose association of songs on “The Holy Open Secret” turn towards the melancholic by the end of the album. This turn is starkly contrasted by the ninth track, “Known For Possession,” a fast paced, hand clapping tune that readily embraces the hell raising lifestyle of days past. When you hear the words “My soul don’t know no spirit else, yeah,” you feel the acceptance of those days gone by.

While “Known For Possession” is an open-eyed acceptance of the past, the final track seems to take that one step further by accepting everything and then opting for an exit. “Roll, Brandywine, Roll” is escapism at its finest and a gorgeous closing tune that truly crowns a commendable album. Sean Hoots stated that they “strive to provide catharsis for damaged 21st Century humans.” That goal is mostly realized with The Holy Open Secret.

In addition to this new album, Hoots & Hellmouth will bring their quest towards localism to the area as a part of the Wakarusa Music Festival. Hoots & Hellmouth will perform 5 p.m., Sunday. June 7th on the Backwoods Stage at Wakarusa. They will follow this up with a 10:10 p.m. show at George’s Majestic for the Post-Wakarusa Party.

Peter can be reached at [email protected]