Album Details

• Artist: Hillstomp
• Album: After Two But Before Five
• Label: Fuzzmonster
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2007-09-08

Media

Gritty and fun and damn curious is what Hillstomp are. They root around in garbage cans to find the fixins to make their own instruments, and they dig through the history of American music to find both inspiration and old forgotten treasures. Recorded over two nights this past August, "After Two But Before Five," and this duo, are Portland, Oregon’s latest gift to the rest of us. Hillstomp mix bluegrass with junkabilly, outsider music with honky-tonk, and it works work works.

The overall tone is celebratory, with "Goin Down South", "Rollin and Tumblin" and "Shake ‘Em on Down" setting the stage for the drinking and dancing. They are not afraid to buzzkill, however, as "Lucy’s Lament" and "Dark Clouds A’Risin" show a band not afraid to play some High Lonesome. This is a great release. Since the loss of the great Slobberbone to retirement and Old 97's to pop-ish/foppish hell, alt-country fans looking for reverence, fun and grit beyond The Gourds need look no further than Hillstomp.

User Reviews and Comments