Howling Bells: Radio Wars

Howling Bells = Radio Wars
By Ben Hawling

Upon first listen of their 2006 self – titled debut, one couldn’t help but feel mesmerized by Howling Bells’ sound; a mixture of haunting and delicate melodies, and equally dark, yet seductive lyrics. These key qualities can also be found in the Australian bands latest release, ‘Radio Wars’, a slightly more raw and heavy sounding album that just demands to be heard. This aspect is present from the disjointed, pounding opener, ‘Treasure Hunt’, which contains the darkly poetic line, “I am a watchtower, I am the light that emanates, I am the key that fits, I am the wall that radiates”, that comfortably sums up the bands alternative approach to making music. Other key tracks include the remenicient, ‘Let’s Be Kids’, ‘Digital Hearts’, epic sounding, ‘Cities Burning Down’ and possible future single, ‘Golden Web’, which highlights a new direction in sound for the band, with the use of drum machines. However, the true moment of beauty on the new album comes in the form of fourth track, ‘Nightingale’, another poetically charged ballad where front-woman, Juanita Stein showcases her sublime vocals as she softly pleads for another ‘nightingale’ to be with her. Fans of the band’s debut release will not be disappointed with ‘Radio Wars’, as it only proves further how musically talented, and yet underrated Howling Bells really are.