Music Review: Humming House, Revelries

By Tyler Hodg

The amount of talented musicians that Nashville, Tennessee produces is insurmountable; it’s always been that way and the city shows no signs of slowing down. Humming House, yet another act to come from the legendary area, is further proof that Nashville still has that touch. In a time when mainstream country music seems to be at its lowest creative level, Humming House shines bright with their latest release Revelries, a joyous album that serves as significant hope for the stifled genre.

Revelries is a refreshing reminder that bands must continually move forward in order to be respected by intelligent music fans. Granted their latest effort isn’t a major departure from their previous work, but Humming House has still found a way to refine their songwriting and sound to a more mature state. Country music has a tendency to become stale and tiring quickly, so variations in style can make a band that much more appealing. Thankfully, the band got the memo.

Perhaps what makes Humming House different from their peers is their willingness to incorporate different genres into their music. An uplifting pop sound can be found in the songs “Run With Me” and “Great Divide,” while “Freight Train” showcases the band’s rock side. Without a doubt, the most interesting song on Revelries is “This Hell Where We Belong.” Sometimes lead singer Leslie Rodriguez’s voice on the track is powerful and impressionable, which—when paired with the song’s dark tone—is sure to send a chill down your spine.

As great as the album is, there is one thing that stands out negatively: this time around the cover art is not up to par with everything else that the band has delivered. It’s not bad by any means; it’s just not great. The cover features two gold silhouettes of a man and woman dancing on a white background; it’s simple and appealing, but far from incredible. The music is the clear strength of the album, although it would have been nice if the cover art had been its perfect companion.

Regardless, Humming House definitely has something to revel in: their latest album is a gem. Revelries has a warm and inviting quality that gives it replay value one million times over. It’s a shame that mainstream country music radio doesn’t choose to highlight a band like Humming House, because if they did, maybe it would be respected more than it currently is. Revelries is the album that country music fans deserve and transcends enough genres to appeal to those who don’t typically listen to that style of music.

Revelries was released on March 24 through Rock Ridge Music.

Tour Dates:
3/27 – Philadelphia, PA / World Café Live (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
3/28 – Pittsburgh, PA / Rex Theater (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
3/29 – New York, NY / Rockwood Music Hall, stage 2
3/30 – Fairfield, CT / Stage One (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/3 – Nashville, TN / 3rd & Lindsley – Album Release Celebration (w/River Whyless opening)
4/4 – Pendleton, SC / Tri County Technical College Amphitheater
4/8 – Cleveland, OH / Beachland Ballroom (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/9 – Cincinnati, OH / 20th Century Theater (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/10 – St. Louis, MO / Old Rock House (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/11 – Columbia, MO / The Blue Note (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/12 – Knoxville, TN / Rhythm N’ Blooms Festival
4/15 – Tulsa, OK / Cain’s Ballroom (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/16 – Austin, TX / Emo’s (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/17 – Dallas, TX / Granada Theater (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/18 – Houston, TX / Fitzgeralds (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/19 – New Orleans, LA / One Eyed Jacks (w/Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors)
4/21 – El Paso, TX / Tricky Falls (w/Kacey Musgraves)
4/22 – Tucson, AZ / Rialto Theatre (w/Kacey Musgraves)
4/23 – Los Angeles, CA / Hotel Café (w/Moonsville Collective)
4/24 – Costa Mesa, CA / Maison (w/Moonsville Collective)
4/25 – Oakland, CA / Fox Theater (w/Kacey Musgraves)
5/1 – Ft. Worth, TX / Billy Bob’s Texas (w/Kacey Musgraves)
5/2 – Guthrie, OK / Queen of the Prairie Festival (w/Parker Millsap)