Customer Reviews

All-Night Fox

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Neil Hagerty has been writing bold and challenging rock and roll since joining Pussy Galore in the mid-80's. With Royal Trux he explored practically every genre imaginable while keeping the music and vibes feeling fresh. Now with his Howling Hex albums, he continues that tradition of mixing classic rock, blues, experimental, and unrelenting guitar riffs to form some of the best music you've never heard. In fact, his last three alums weren't even released on CD (vinyl only) which is a shame because they are as great as anything he's put out. Lucky for us, Hagerty is a very young man, and we have many more years of unique rock to look forward to from this amazing, prolific artist.

We're a Neil Hagerty-friendly house. Royal Trux and Neil's solo albums get played here often. What would it sound like if Keith Richards hooked up with a dynamite female singer, and they were backed by the original Thirteenth Floor Elevators? Something like Neil's latest band, The Howling Hex. I can't say quite why, but this album has an unassuming Gospel quality - maybe it's the cyclical riff-rhythms and the call-and-response vocals. At once tuneful, hypnotic and exalting. This album also makes me think of 60s psych bands like Fifty-Foot Hose and The United States of America. A very unique album to be sure, but also definitely rooted in pure rock music.

I highly rec. this album for fans of neil michael hagerty, as well as anyone who's interested in a truly original interpretation of american music! although i've loved nmh's post-royal trux work, the howling hex represents a very new sound--he's merged himself into a new band (or maybe it's all him?) with incredible vocalizations with his female lead (mystery woman) and a tapestry of guitars that maintain consistant threads, instead of solos peaking in and out of the melody. this is an original sound that draws from the harry smith project and other uniquely american genres, yet maintains a distinct hagerty signature. get it now!!!