Howlin Rain – Magnificent Fiend (American)
Howlin Rain‘s second album, Magnificent Fiend, could easily work as a Comets On Fire record, the one where they reign in the melodies, learn how to play the Hammond organ, and make a perfect facsimile of what your uncle was listening to when George McGovern was running for president. Perhaps there is a bit less guitar interplay going on in Howlin Rain, but Ethan Miller is still wearing the same denim jacket that he does during his day job, but it fits him nicely.
This means that anyone who has ever uttered the words “dirty hippy” or rolled their eyes at stories of Grateful Dead concerts probably need to stay clear of Magnificent Fiend. There’s enough San Fran grooves going on here to appeal to any Deadhead while managing to put-off a fan of Comets On Fire as there’s not a lot of guitar damage to be had.