Fronted by Comets On Fire guitarist Ethan Miller, Howlin’ Rain are a band who could easily have been around for the summer of love back in the sixties. A far cry from the noise of his old band's brash, distorted songs, Howlin' Rain's second album, Magnificent Fiend, is full of psychedelic licks and riffs that could easily have been written at that time.
Rather than rehash used-up ideas, however, Howlin’ Rain reinvigorate these classic sounds with their own, modern day ideas. Based in Oakland, California, it’s hard to imagine this band coming from anywhere else – their songs and style embody the laid-back Californian way of life that still pervades. It's a song that sounds genuine and authentic, and is true both to its influences and its contemporary setting - Miller’s ragged vocals bellow over a theremin and growling guitars, but then it’s all reigned in slightly, a quiet lull before another psychedelic storm of swirling solos. If Richard Linklater ever feels the need to remake Dazed And Confused, he’d probably enlist these guys to write the soundtrack.