Perhaps in a sly nod to their own retro tendencies, Americana-rockers
Houndmouth have given the title
Golden Age to their slickest, least nostalgic, and most pop-oriented album to date. Rather than returning to the faux Dust Bowl world of their two previous albums, both of which slotted pretty easily into the hat-and-suspenders indie folk scene of contemporaries like
the Lone Bellow and
Lumineers, the Indiana band tries its hand at the kind of bright, slinky indie rock best served after midnight. Flawless musicianship and tight vocals were always a hallmark of
Houndmouth's presentation, so much so that it often made their rootsy retro swagger feel a little too contrived. With the departure of keyboardist/singer Katie Toupin, the remaining trio of Matt Myers, Zak Appleby, and Shane Cody seem to have more fully embraced their underlying pop instincts and ditched their affection for the past. Thoroughly decorated with programmed drums, bright glittering effects, and plenty of synths,
Golden Age has its share of punchy rock hooks, especially on standouts like the infectious "Waiting for the Night" and the moody burner "Coast to Coast."
Houndmouth's rock pivot puts them more in line with the venerable indie stylings of someone like
Spoon or
Phoenix and, even if it doesn't work all the time, it serves their talents surprisingly well. ~ Timothy Monger