Album Review: The Loudest Engine by Howling Bells

It took Sydney natives [a]Howling Bells[/a] three years to follow their 2006 debut, a record that blew dust from retro rock and fitted right into the times. Maybe it was easier before pop reintroduced itself as the new rock’n’roll, but anyone hoping for a [a]Howling Bells[/a] comeback that vital should look elsewhere. If 2009’s ‘[b]Radio Wars[/b]’ was patchy, ‘[b]The Loudest Engine[/b]’ is thoroughly passé.

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The Australians have compromised their strengths to force themselves into a new style. Chris Lo 2011 When Sydney’s Howling Bells relocated to London to hook up with British producer Ken Nelson and record their self-titled debut album in 2005, the result was a chaotic and stirring jumble of styles. Juanita Stein’s vocals jolted imperiously against her brother Joel’s spiny guitar licks, introducing a blend of Victorian folk and Brontёan glower to the band’s driving rock‘n’roll, like The Unthanks with riffs.

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