Voodoo Loons
Euphobia
© 2007 DRW/MPG (796873007245)
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Edgy and weird, punkish, psychedelic, and sometimes rootsy, with a smidge of politics and a funky groove filled base.
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The Voodoo Loons are a constantly evolving sound, combining folkish lyrics with a punkish edge, psychedelic headiness with primal funky groove. The press has compared them to groups as diverse as Flaming Lips, Zappa, the Waterboys, Stones, and Sonic Youth, among others. Prior to their new album, Euphobia, released in December 2007, the Loons had achieved an unprecedented level of interest via compilations and the music they offer online, especially in the UK and throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and the US. The growing base is additionally impressive considering the band gigs rarely (by design), choosing to do periodic festival and warehouse appearances over the usual bar-to-bar routine.
Most of the writing is done by O'Hagan, a dual citizen (U.S./Ireland) who's writing reflects both homefronts. The new material draws from a variety of genres and influences, combining personal and sometimes politically pointed lyrics with music that wanders from psychedelic improvisation to raw punkish abrasiveness (reflected more in their shows than on the current recordings). The result is an iconoclastic sound that is it's own.
Voodoo Loons were formed in 2005 by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dennis O'Hagan. O'Hagan, who bounces between his two homelands, had a collection of demos that were getting a lot of attention online and contacted old school friend and session drummer Bill McCarthy about putting a band together. McCarthy suggested local workhorse Chris Hooks for bass, and a band was born. The three immediately started preparing to record some of O'Hagan's material, and in the process a wealth of new songs emerged. In the Fall of 2006 the Loons took to the stage for the first time at the U.S.’ MidPoint Music Festival, where their set commenced in legendary fashion… O'Hagan's amp caught fire during the first song. Thanks to a backup amp the set continued and went on to earn rave reviews, and the trio knew they had a winner. Around this time the album was delayed by a family illness, but by Spring 2007 the band was back in fighting shape and spent most of the Summer and Fall at Middleground Studios. The result was the release of Voodoo Loons' debut album “Euphobia” in December 2007, which immediately received critical acclaim. The album draws deeply from O'Hagan's American and Irish influences, and features guests mandolin virtuoso Mark Daly and pianist Michael Sokolowski on several tracks. The band is currently working on new songs for their follow-up, and plans to spend much of 2008 playing select music festivals and shows to their rapidly growing European and American following.
reviews
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Highly recommended
author: PaulI found out about the Voodoo Loons on MySpace, liked what I heard and bought the CD but the few tracks that I'd heard in no way prepared me for the sheer diversity to be heard on the album. Their sound ranges across punk, rock, folk, blues and a plethora of other genres and the songs range in tone from the laid back Emerald to the upfront and angry Unabashedly Political Song. Although it feels a bit eclectic initially, the album is well worth listening to several times and - when you do this - a uniquely Loons sound does start to emerge. I would strongly recommend giving this album a listen - whatever your taste, some of the songs will appeal instantly and, if you give it time, the rest of the songs will grow on you.
A great find, I highly recommend
author: MikeI actually found these guys on MySpace, dug the few tunes they had up, and grabbed this album (and their EP) right away. They cover a lot of ground on this album from a sound perspective, while still having you walk away having discovered the "Voodoo Loons" sound. I see a progression in this album, starting with a really dense rocking vibe, gradually getting a little rootsier as the modern psychedelic feel starts incorporating mandolin, piano, etc..... until by the end it's broken down into a sort of punky acoustic number. Very unusual flow, but it works extremely well. Also very interesting lyrical content, ranging from the extremely personal level where you hear your own life in a song to the global level. I recommend this album highly. It's one of those rare albums where you feel like you really found something and then have to turn on your friends to it.