Holopaw’s self-titled debut album is like taking a stroll through the forest and identifying your favourite tree from a distance. From far away, the tree appears small in stature amidst its fellow companions in the woods. But as you get closer, you realize that this tree is gigantic, so enormous that you can’t help but realize that this tree has been part of a long and impressive history. The tree itself grew so many layer of past and present and protrudes a strong sense of commitment and compassion. The beauty of the finch nested in its branches, the hard work of the squirrel gathering and storing his nuts, the heart carved out of its trunk, etc. All of these moments and the related emotions and sentiments are evident throughout the entire 10 songs of Holopaw’s short, yet thorough, self-titled album.
Produced by Brian Deck, from the renowned rustic Americana band Califone, Holopaw comes equipped with southern fried roots and alt country influences. Songs like “Abraham Lincoln,” “Igloo Glass,” and “Teacup Woozy” identify and pay homage to the sound of today’s Americana. Accompanied with John Orth’s (Ugly Cassanova) distinct and eloquent vocal style and his genuine and mysterious lyrics, Holopaw concoct a brew of sunshine and warmth, delicately enticing anyone who may consider that music evolution is a derivative of today’s untalented and over-produced artists. There is nothing remarkably new created by Holopaw, but their sound is truly refreshing and invigorating. What this album contributes to today’s music is its exceptionally rural ambience and its compassion for the root of music. With strong and precise instrumentation, including violin, piano, trumpet and hollow acoustics, Holopaw provide another page in today’s ever-growing alt. country continuum. Perhaps not as widely receptive as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Holopaw is an extremely challenging album and bring forth a love of today’s naturalistic tendencies. And its close relation with the bare requirements of nature is what shines throughout the album.
Holopaw represent another chapter in alt. country’s growing popularity. But what becomes evident is that the closer you get to the tree of Holopaw, the more you identify with its evident individuality. And that is what makes this record so beautiful and ultimately, so profoundly unique.
1. Abraham Lincoln
2. Igloo glass
3. Hoover
4. Short-wave hum (stutter)
5. Hula-la
6. Pony apprehension
7. Took it for a twinkle
8. Teacup woozy
9. Cinders
10. Mammoth cave
More about: Holopaw
