Magnificent Fiend

Howlin' Rain | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: American
• ASIN: B0012OTVOO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,036 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Modern day psych-rock power-trio, March 4, 2008

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magnificent Fiend (Audio CD)

Though they now have two guitars, bass, drums and keys/horns, at its heaviest Howlin' Rain drops the boom of a power trio. Think Cream's sonic punch, the heaviness of Mountain, the layers of Procol Harum, the overdriven blast of Vanilla Fudge, echoes of San Francisco Bay Area bands like Oxford Circle and Kak, and the folk/country influences of early Grateful Dead. Listeners may be momentarily fooled by the 54-second opener's horn-led suggestion of film noir, but the album's first full track kicks in with a lengthy instrumental of raging drums, organ and squalling psych guitar leads. Even the quieter breakdowns are often only short breathers from the full-on attack, with vocals from Ethan Miller (also of Comets on Fire) that alternate between raggedly hollered and moments of Jack Bruce-like tenor. There are a few moments, such the soulful "Nomads" and "El Rey," that are almost tranquil (at least, in comparison to the full-on jams), with the guitars giving way to bass, drums and electric piano before returning for hypnotic solos. The closing "Riverboat" is actually folky and pastoral, in an electric sense. Throughout the CD Garett Goddard (drums) and Ian Gradek (bass) provide the sort of musicality that leaves Miller's guitar free to fly. The instrumental stretches, even when thickened by Mike Jackson's rhythm guitar and Joel Robinow's organ, still feel elemental. The original trio's sensibility (as heard on the their self-titled 2006 debut) is still here, but layered with new instrumental and production complexities. [©2008 hyperbolium dot com]

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, January 15, 2012

By 

Rick D. Evans - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magnificent Fiend (Audio CD)

That review below from Rusty leaves me in shock. He compares these guys to Thin Lizzy as a Lizzy rip-off? Wha? Now if he'd tried to say they take too much from Traffic, CSNY, Skynyrd, Allman, CCR, Doobies, Stones and Faces...well at least I'd know where he's coming from. But they're no rip-off, they simply play the style of music that they love -- as a lot of bands these days are doing like My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Decemberists -- and they do it so very well. So well, I think this was one of the best albums of the decade. If you love great rootsy blooze R&R, you'll LOVE this album.

5.0 out of 5 stars Transitional Record with Southern Rock Feel, October 18, 2008

By 

zphage - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Magnificent Fiend (Audio CD)

This is not as raw as the first, so fans of that record will not be pleased. However, I believe this a great transitional record. This is modern day West Coast psych with Allmanesquese Outlaws dual lead playing and funky driving organ.

Lead vocals are the weak point ala Robert Wyatt out of breathness, however harmonies are nice. Songcraft has improved over previous album, guitar playing is more focused which will not please some. The next album will show how important the move has been.

For those not familiar with the first album looking for something new to take a chance on try this, it is a screaming buy which may surprise.