How else could his sophomore record, Misfit Hymns, feel so natural despite covering just about every possible angle of the folk-rock shtick? From the unabashed twang of opener New Year's Day to the obligatory Bon Iver-esque Song for Janis, no two tracks on this album are much alike. It's a true relief to see an artist who, when faced with the post-debut dilemma of "what next?", decides to keep striking out for new ground.
That grey area between the new and the familiar is exactly where Houlahan shines, pairing thoughtful lyricism and immediate melodies against long song structures that nearly always stretch towards the five minute mark. This contrast between lighthearted vibes and ambitious intent is immediately apparent in the first track, with a clever hook that obfuscates the song's near-six-minute runtime. That theme runs throughout the record - it's as if he offers up nothing but great songs to make up for the constant wanderings from genre to genre and other un-pop elements.
I think it's a fair bargain. After all, the variety in this record means there's a ton of depth for repeated listens. Likewise, when you consider the great production, the tight backing band, and the general sense of well-being that pervades the entirety of Misfit Hymns, there's really no question here. Anybody who digs folk and doesn't fear the word twang should grab this new release while there's still time - because let's face it, this is pay day advice, not it's-three-days-since-pay-day-and-I'm-already-back-to-ramen advice.
-Matt Sokol
10
Feb
James Houlahan is clearly an artist that's in it for the long haul.
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