hook face - hook face

Hook Face 

Hook Face
self-released; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

Envision an old sailor that got snagged by his own doggone hook… Hook Face’s music is rugged, rustic and has a piratey fun vibe to it that just makes you want to slosh around on a deck of a grimy boat with a pint of whiskey in your hand.  The band is from Rochester, NY and despite the band’s short existence most of the members are not new to making music. You can feel this while listening to their self-titled album Hook Face. There is a genuine streak of tried and true musical passion, just good ol’ funky soul rock void of experimentation.

Some could say that the band is influenced by the sounds of Johnny Cash because of the rustic vocals and ragged, compelling guitars and bass. The song “Black Crow” uses the sounds of a harmonica to really pull you into their world of mystery and a bit of malice. “Walk up to my darling’s door, she said don’t come round here no more, black crow, blue sky, tell me it’s not all a lie.” There is some simplicity in the lyrics yet they are wildly entertaining and continue to swell as the sweet guitars and gentle percussion weave the story in your head.  The song is only two-and-a-half minutes long yet it seems much longer because you get lost within it.

“Night Crawler” begins with a sultry beat and a dark bass chord and right before you know it the vocals start to lure you in… “Night crawler, going to get a fish for me.” The beat is very calculated really and makes you want to tap your feet.

The music within this release is great for a summer’s night get together and will really set the mood and is sure to create unpredictable fun for everyone. There is mystery, a bit of mischief and all wrapped into metaphoric ballads. This album is a great production and anyone into southern-inspired blues will really get down to Hook Face.

Become A Fan

reverbnation