HOWLIN’ RAIN
CITAY
Hemlock Tavern
July 13, 2007

 I was excited to see two of my favorite local bands, Howlin’ Rain and Citay, together at the Hemlock Tavern. I consider these bands local heroes because they’re both on (semi)-mainstream record labels and have been lauded by the national music press (see Arthur Magazine’s October 2006 cover story on Ethan Miller of Howlin’ Rain).

Citay has an enormous stage presence, led by Ezra Feinberg singing and playing an open-tuned acoustic guitar. He’s backed by a synth player and flutist, two glockenspiel players, bass, drums, and two electric guitars. They were elbow to elbow at the Hemlock.

Citay’s sound is similar to acoustic Led Zeppelin. Songs typically begin with strummed guitar, followed by bass and drums which lay in right behind, adding an organic swaying rhythm. Feinberg sings his vocal line with long, drawn-out notes, and his melody is doubled by the glockenspiel and flute, making the songs absolutely sparkle. When the harmonized electric guitars chime in the music launches and the whole room is nodding along, moving like trees on a windy day. As the songs build, the guitars splinter into mind blowing solos but always remain faithful to the spirit of the song.

Feinberg’s done a shrewd thing in building a band full of players who can really soar off the simple acoustic foundations he lays down. This is an amazing group who play beautiful songs, highly recommended!

The first thing I noticed about Howlin’ Rain was their odor; they smell like rock n’ roll! Led by Ethan Miller of Comets on Fire, Howlin’ Rain seems to be from another time and place. Their ragged style and vintage gear gave me a sense that these were some back woods folks who came to visit from a place where life is about rivers and forests, whiskey and grass, and five hundred of the most amazing psychedelic records you’ve never heard.

Live, the band lives up to their name. Fuzzed out, shrieking guitars wail and wobble along with Miller’s haunting vocals, howled like a soul singer with exceptional vibrato. The rhythm section is solid and heavy, with John Maloney firing up his jazz drummer’s touch with Keith Moon-style explosiveness. Howlin’ Rain’s musicianship and Good Times vibe was summed up perfectly by their ecstatic cover of the Supreme’s “You Keep Me Hanging On.” It felt like a party where you want to settle in with a coupla Buds, put your arm around your best pal, and take a long ride with an awesome rock band. Don’t miss them!

[Jeff Bissell]

[STREAM] Howlin' Rain: Various Tracks

[STREAM] Citay:  "Seasons Don't Fear the Year"