The band formed of former Fall members from various eras of the legendary bands existence, have always been more than simply a continuation of their past musical endeavours. More of an open community to all ex Fall-ers, centred around the core line up of Martin Bramah (vocals, guitar), Pete Greenway (guitar), Paul Hanley (drums), Stephen Hanley (bass), Simon Wolstencroft (drums), House Of All have now bolstered their already mighty fine line up by the addition of long lost drummer Karl Burns, creating a three drummer strong rhythm section, taking it in turns to play on various tracks.
Third album ‘House Of All Souls’ finds the band trading hefty rhythms and moody yet melodic guitar riffs and vocal lines throughout. Opener ‘The Devil’s House’ has those pounding basslines and drums courtesy of the tight rhythm section of bassist Hanley combining with that dual drum attack in full swing and intriguingly wandering guitar lines Sprinkle Martin Bramah’s brilliantly laid back yet acerbic vocal delivery and you have the quintessential House Of All sound.
‘Queen Of Angels’ has an intriguingly catchy earworm of a riff which powers the tune along, with an equally melodic spoken sung melody, whereas ‘Infamous Immoral Sister’ is House Of All meets psych rock as it rumbles along with a spacious cavernous guitar riff. Bramah’s lyrics evoke a strange dystopian world populated by characters and creatures such as “the lonely wolf and black raven” (A Creature Came Slinking), “the troubadour guilty”(Quern Of Angels), or “man is like a Mayfly, born at dawn and dead at sunset” (Born At Dawn)
The rabble rousing ‘Dayspring’ finds the amassed vocals of the House Of All joining in on the chorus chants, whereas ‘A Creature Came Slinking’ continues the theme of high pitched riffs roaming around the thunderous drums, and closing tune ‘Born At Dawn’ has a steady paced rhythm underpinning its hypnotic grooves.
Although all House Of All Songs are written purely in the studio from musical experiments, the synergy works well and never feels self indulgent or too lengthy, proof of the enduring musical understanding between several of the members and even more remarkable considering some were in The Fall in different eras, and hadn’t played together prior to joining House Of All. The tribal beats emulating from a double drum scenario, are the brilliant backbone of ‘House Of All Souls’, a firm ground on which the almighty bass sounds of Hanley and the guitar work of Greenway can build skywards.
House Of All keep the musical essence and energy of their former band intact but infuse it with their own renewed sense of melody, making ‘House Of All Souls’ the third goal in their hat trick of invigorating brilliant albums released so far.
House Of All: House Of All Souls – Out Now (Tiny Global Productions)
From the early days of creating handmade zines, in a DIY paper and glue style, interviewing bands around town, then pestering Piccadilly Records to sell them, to writing for various independent mags such as Chimp and Ablaze, writing about the music I love is still a great passion. After testing the music industry waters in London with stints at various labels, being back in my hometown again, writing about this city’s vibrant music scene is as exciting as ever. All time favourite bands include Sonic Youth, Nick Cave, Patti Smith although anything from electro to folk via blues and pysch rock will also do nicely too. A great album, is simply a great album, regardless of whatever musical cage you put it in.
