The Babies
Our House On The Hill
Woodsist Records [2012]
Fire Note Says: No “Sophomore Slump” for The Babies on Our House on the Hill!
Album Review: Although originally conceived as a side project between Woods member Kevin Morby and Cassie Ramones from Vivian Girls, one thing is clear from the first song on The Babies 2nd album, Our House on the Hill, this doesn’t sound like a side project. The Babies really benefited from touring together in 2011, they are a full-fledged band, and a damn good one, I might add! The album is a step up from their first album in every way possible. The production is better, the songwriting is sharper, and the performances are crisper.
I particularly enjoy the songs where the two trade vocals, particularly “Slow Walkin”, which immediately reminded me of two great male/female fronted bands from the past, X and The Rezillos. The song is upbeat, but still has a casual appeal that is both endearing and inviting. “Moonlight Mile” is a punchy two and a half minute number, with backing harmonies to die for, and a nice horn line. The song is so saturated with sound it’s hard to pick out anyone instrument, it all mashes together to form one colossal wall of music, rushing forward at breakneck speed. “See The Country” is a nice mid-tempo number where Cassie takes the lead with her angelic voice, and Morby provides a nice supportive backing. “That Boy” is a gorgeous and sad song ruminating on the death of what I assume is a good friend, yet, it feels cathartic as well, and ends on a hopeful note.
This record has it all, it’s happy, sad, mournful and yet eternally optimistic. Their two voices blend together so well, it’s as if they were meant to sing songs together. This is one of the real sleepers of 2012, and is one that I will be playing for a while! Our House on the Hill is so good that I find part of myself wishing they would leave their regular band to concentrate on The Babies full time! Make sure to check them out if they play out live in your area, I’m betting it would be a real good time, because this record definitely is!
Key Tracks: “That Boy”, “Slow Walkin”, “Moonlight Mile”
Artists With Similar Fire: X / The Rezillos / The Pixies
Artist Highlight feature @ The Fire Note
The Babies Website
The Babies Facebook
Woodist Records
-Reviewed by Dex Poindexter
Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, I am extremely proud of the area I grew up in and the influence it has had on the world at large, from the Wright Brothers to Robert Pollard, the area has been a center of innovation both technologically and artistically. During my college years at the University of Dayton, I found myself becoming more and more immersed in the local music scene, a period of time in the early to mid 90's that coincided with the rise of bands like Guided by Voices, Brainiac, and The Breeders, who added to the rich musical legacy of the area. Dayton is also the hometown of many giants of funk in the 70's and is also the birthplace of Jazz greats Billy Strayhorn, John Scofield and Bud Shank. I wrote extensively for The Fire Note, a great online magazine focused on indie rock, in the 2010's while simultaneously being a partner in Rockathon Records, before retiring from both in 2018. In 2024, my thoughts turned back to helping at Rockathon and more importantly to pick back up on my writing, and more specifically to write about my love of jazz. I'm always listening, always searching for something new, something great. It's been a lifelong journey, and I still feel like there is so much out there to hear.
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
- Kevin Poindexterhttps://thefirenote.com/author/kpoindexter/
