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Hounds: Hounds
 Hounds is a three piece alternative/indie/psych/pop trio from St. Louis who were previously known as Clockwork but have changed their moniker and have recently released their self-titled debut. Comprised of Jordan Slone (vocals, guitar), Logan Slone (bass, vocals), and Logan Mohler (drums, vocals), on first spin Hounds seems like somewhat of an odd fit here at Sea of Tranquility...there's no metal, prog, hard rock, or jazz to be found on this debut, but, repeated listens reveal a band quite adept at writing catchy, indie pop fare with a smattering of '60s psychedelia that is actually pretty damn addicting. "Shake Me Up" almost dips into rockabilly with its jangly guitars and memorable hooks, while the irresistible pop melodies of "Anything At All", "Ghosts are Ghosts", and "American Scheme" are hard to ignore. The band lists The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and The Doors as influences, and you can also hear some Tom Petty, Electric Light Orchestra, and The Moody Blues in spots, so it's not unusual to find Hounds tackling a classic from the past, here in the form of the Jefferson Airplane staple "White Rabbit", which they do quite well and have a lot of fun with it. Musically speaking, the trio are very capable musicians, the rhythms rock solid and Jordan's vocals and guitar work crisp and engaging.
Given the right promotion and luck, I can totally see Hounds catching on in a big way with fans of pop and indie rock. Give this is a listen, as you might be hearing a lot more from this band in the not too distant future.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) Anything At All
2) Head in Sand
3) Muchanothin
4) Only Dreaming
5) Ghosts are Ghosts
6) White Rabbit
7) Sunburnt
8) Not Good Enough
9) Shake Me Up
10) Lock Eyes
11) In Over My Head
12) Nothing Moves
13) American Scheme
Added: November 17th 2017
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:  
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1658
Language: english
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Hounds: Hounds
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2017-11-19 15:36:15
My Score:
Previously known as Cornerstone, the trio that has become Hounds shed their originally acoustic leanings for an electric indie-rock shimmer that not only harks to the past, but to a time before indie-pop was a thing. In essence there's a strangely 60s vibe often brought into being as languid, almost lackadaisical moods become the order of the day.
The majority of the album was written by guitarist and singer Jordan Slone, with bassist Logan Slone (who subsequently left the band before the album was released) contributing a couple of cuts. Rounded out by Logan Mohler on drums, there's no doubt that this trio lay down some thick grooves, but with an eagerness to keep things as relaxed as they can be, the results can often become ever so slightly aimless. Leaving an album that doesn't really have any pretensions to rock out, or to be overly technical, in need of a little spice to add to the reasonably simple recipe. The vaguely reggae like strikes of "Head In The Sand" is a prime example, where some keen harmony vocals and a nice little melody are allowed to wander off into not all that much really. The catchiness required for mainstream success sidestepped, while the components to engage with much outside the indie crowd are, in the main, not particularly considered. Add in that Slone's voice never adds the directness needed to really move beyond mere accompaniment, and it can all really become rather dull.
Where things take an upturn is through the Jefferson Airplane cover, "White Rabbit", a song of dangerously classic proportions delivered with a lithe intent that not only finds it positively thriving through a singing bass line, but actually suggesting that this is the area that Hounds would be most effective operating in. Suddenly a band that seemed tentative and timid on their own meandering "Not Good Enough" or "In Over My Head" (the song titles alluding to the decidedly downbeat nature of a lot of the compositions), are confident and tantalising. But to these ears this track is the only clear example of the potency that these Hounds obviously can possess. Then again, this isn't their song, so maybe therein lies the problem? If you're a serious fan of indie-pop that doesn't want upbeat jangles to be the soundtrack of your day then you might be able to overcome this album's shortcomings, but for me, while nothing here is terrible, the speed with which it is easily forgotten is a serious worry.
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