As a duo that produces a boisterous wall of sound, Little Hurricane more than lives up to its name.
The band’s debut album, Homewrecker, is a scattered but enjoyable mess. It also holds significant commercial appeal.
A track such as ‘Haunted Heart’, for example, initially appears little more than bluesy-indie fluff until its melody worms its way into the subconscious and takes permanent residency. Other cuts have a similar effect, especially ‘Get By’ and ‘Shortbread’.
Much of the duo’s spunk can be attributed to female vocalist Celeste Spina. She regularly uses her understated vocals to break up the rustic cries of frontman Anthony Catalano.
Perhaps the only weakness is ‘Fourth Of July’. Lyrically the track is stagnated on spreading resources to those less fortunate. It’s a noble topic, though by the end of the track you can’t help but feel the band is planting the seeds for a new socialist regime.
Most critics will write Little Hurricane off as a Black Keys/White Stripes wannabe. To do so would be too simple a comparison.
Instead, think of them as a younger, cheekier sibling who’s always stealing cookies from an unguarded window sill.
– Paul Bonadio
