Category:
Rock

Try if you like:
Download, Enya, Lacuna Coil, Nick Cave

I think it's cool when a cover song actually pulls your attention in to an album. That's exactly what Johnny Hollow's awesome cover of "People Are Strange". It seems they almost take the song as their guideline for the theme of their dark album Dirty Hands. 

I had reviewed Johnny Hollow's self-titled debut album a few years back but had honestly forgotten about the Canadian band. Dirty Hands was a good refresher on their dark gothic sounds that the three piece does so well. In  the bio accompanying this album they state that Johnny Hollow is an outcast, ultimately regarded as a post by other children. Dirty Hands does a great job in hitting on that sort of mood. The album is dark but quite accessible. There aren't as many electronic elements on here as I remember on their debut.

The album opens up with a song called "Alchemy", ushering you into the dark mind of Johnny Hollow. A lot of piano has found it's way onto this album and it really works with the studio trickery they use on the lovely female vocals. "Stranger" introduces a bit of beats into the mix. "Die For Love" lets Vincent Marcone take a shot at vocals, using more of a spoken voice than a singing one. 

Rarely does Dirty Hands totally rock out. Instead Janine, Kitty and Vincent tend to stay a little slower and remain dark. "This Hollow World" is exception to the rule. I really enjoyed the closing track, "Aegis". This was the most beat-centric song of the bunch and it was quite atmospheric with the vocals just accompanying the beats.

Dirty Hands should get Johnny Hollow a little more exposure this time around although I think it will most likely have to be word of mouth because I can't really see them achieving radio play.