House of Fools - Oblivion Video

interesting video. Sad. Kinda like still, after a brand spanking new album, their fan base, including the progressive rock scene, has not grown much. But then again, that's been status quo for over 5 years now.

House of Fools - Versus the Beast (2012) Early Review

1 Oblivion 4:56
2 Daylight 3:44
3 Another Place 3:53
4 Time 5:06
5 Dogfight 5:31
6 Love 3:59
7 Pickle 4:19
8 Happy Now 4:03
9 Pick or Choose 4:33
10 Cover Me 4:55
11 Need to Be Free 4:59
12 Johnny Utah 6:57
13 When the Lights Go Out 12:09

It's been nearly 5 long years since House of Fools released their epic masterpiece of a debut record Live and Learn, an album which disgustingly, very few people have still talked about or even are aware of. But of course as long as it's available to hear, it's never too late.

This long awaited and largely labored-over record finally dropped within the last week and as one who has looked forward to their next work, it did not disappoint.

Pretty much every track has something enjoyable. Specifically, the guitar solos, including some of House of Fools trademark southern-bluesy double (or triple even) solos, are perfectly placed and fit each song's mood. There's a bunch of them.

Song-wise, "Time" "Dogfight" and especially "Need to Be Free" stand out the most. Although, I'll admit the demo of "Need to Be Free" on Fresh Hot Shit, I may still prefer a little due to my love of fat, bubbly keys. But they added an interesting element by using a lot of vocal distortion. Some of the other songs that continue to grow for me include "Daylight," "Johnny Utah," "Another Place," "Oblivion," and "Pick or Choose."

The Pink Floyd influence is definitely here on this record in different spots, but one specifically being how they use samples and seguing sections at the end of songs, which maybe stands out a little more than on Live and Learn.

This album lyrically is about frustration, sarcasm and really a group of people who don't deserve the unlucky fate they describe at times. House of Fools got screwed over by their record company, Drive-Thru Records as evidenced in this article. They treated them like shit, as the often fickle two-faced record label-environment can be. They ended up suing Drive-Thru Records, which probably has as much to do with why they are still a band now, and how this album actually got released, as anything.

I imagine a lot of that story/background also will be told in the upcoming Kickstarter-Campaign supported documentary film When the Lights Go Out, which I personally did contribute to and look forward to finally seeing in a few months.

I keep enjoying more about this record, although I can't deny, I'm skeptical if it'll match Live and Learn's depth, consistency or longevity. But for a sophomore release, this is hardly a dud. And in some ways given it does differ enough from Live and Learn, it shows they are not interested in making Live and Learn Part 2, i.e. progressing/being-progressive in some ways.

What I can't help but still wonder is, the band wrote some 70 or more songs since Live and Learn. Some of which were on Fresh Hot Shit and a few others circulated in places online. Given that many songs were written, maybe some of those could get released somewhat soon if they are finished, mixed, mastered etc and the band are happy with them. Maybe even just on bandcamp like Kaddisfly and Bend Sinister have done recently. But I also ask myself whether this record does well or not, what are the odds the band is still a band even say 1 year from now. Maybe this album will surprisingly do enough for that to happen. Of course only *time* will tell. But for now, it's my early leader for 2012 Albums.

it's now available for $8 on cdbaby

House of Fools - Versus the Beast (2011/2012)

1/3/12 3:30PM

forget iTunes, and pick it up either on mp3 or CD at CDBABY.com for only $8. I just ordere 2 copies. Very good album, 4-stars at least and a review hopefully will be coming by the end of the week.

12/31/11 8:01PM

I finally got to hear it, sounds pretty epic. Really happy to see "Need to Be Free" on there. I'll know more obviously on Monday morning when I check it out with headphones. Other than for the folks who picked up a copy last night at their cd release show, it goes on Sale on iTunes on Tuesday January 3rd.


Here's the track list.



1 Oblivion 4:56
2 Daylight 3:44
3 Another Place 3:53
4 Time 5:06
5 Dogfight 5:31
6 Love 3:59
7 Pickle 4:19
8 Happy Now 4:03
9 Pick or Choose 4:33
10 Cover Me 4:55
11 Need to Be Free 4:59
12 Johnny Utah 6:57
13 When the Lights Go Out 12:09


Video for "Time"

wow. Totally wow. For some reason, I don't remember being quite as impressed by this song earlier this year.




The new song Another Place is streamable here.

Video for "Dogfight"



12/12/11 10:35PM



There's the cover. This long awaited 2nd full-length album is being made available 1st at an album release show on December 30th in House of Fools hometown.

More stuff about a new video for the song "Time" and a (new off Versus the Beast?) song will be uploaded to stream on Wednesday on absolutepunk.net

here's what they've posted:

http://houseoffools.net/


House of Fools week

We have several exciting happenings this week. On Wednesday our friends over at Absolute Punk will be streaming an unreleased song from versus the beast, so make sure you head over there and check that out. That same day, we are the featured cover story in YES! Weekly, a Triad based entertainment magazine. It’s free and available in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point and pretty much all other Triad retail locations. We will also be debuting the video for Time later in the week here on the site, so make sure that you keep checking back for that! More news to come…..



*
House of Fools versus the beast
The day that we (and hopefully you) have been patiently waiting on is finally almost here. After more than two years of writing and a year of recording and mixing, we are very excited to announce the release of House of Fools versus the beast.

Your first chance to pick up a copy will be at our cd release show on December 30th at Greene Street Club in Greensboro, NC. This is going to be a very special night, so start making plans to be there! versus the beast will be available for download via iTunes and other outlets following the release show, so if you can’t be at the show to get a physical copy, make sure you keep tuning in here for more updates on when and where you can download the album.

We are planning all sorts of song exclusives as well as a video release before the record comes out, so make sure you follow us on facebook and twitter for regular updates. Head over to Greene Street’s website to pre-order your tickets for the show! Updates will be a lot more frequent so stay tuned!

When the Lights Go Out: House of Fools Documentary

I just pledged $25. They're a little over 1/2 way to their $1200 goal with 18 days left. Hopefully more of the House of Fools fans (or any fans of good music, namely college prog or other genres per say) will check this and their new album, Versus the Beast, out. It's being made available on December 30th (album release show), but the DVD appears to be coming in April.

House of Fools - Versus the Beast (2.0)

4/19/11 8:28AM

Album title "Versus the Beast"

New song "Time" is streamable here

if it's Embed-able, I am not finding the right code right now.

1/18/11 8:38PM





Some background here aka "Fresh Hot Shit"

That also can be downloaded for free HERE (with an email and zz)

New album in spring/summer of 2011

Part ways with Drive Thru Records

The wait is over! Nearly four years after the release of their critically acclaimed debut, North Carolina’s favorite rock revivalists, House of Fools, are thrilled to share “Dogfight.” Drawing comparisons to current favorites My Morning Jacket and psychedelic rock icons, Pink Floyd, the song represents the culmination of years of touring, writing and sonic exploration. Download the MP3 HERE and feel free to post and share!

The release of “Dogfight” comes hot on the heels of a protracted legal battle that ultimately saw the band cut ties with Drive Thru Records. While the dispute prevented the release of any new music, House of Fools have been tirelessly writing and recording, and will release their new full length in the spring/summer of 2011.

The band is currently hunkered down in their home studio in Greensboro, NC putting the final touches on their new material, and will be documenting their progress on their new website.

New song "Dogfight"
Dogfight (new) by House of Fools

That also can be downloaded for free HERE (with an email and zc)

"Dogfight" is awesome, and this album sounds like it will be as well. I really hope "Need to Be Free" especially is included as the demo on Fresh Hot Shit was totally boss.

It's a broken record, but I guess I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This band are really fucking good, and why just the forums and college prog and progressive rock scene (as well as just Hipfork and some of the jam band and Southern Rock fans) have not caught on to them, at least to the level that they should, is totally baffling.

But perhaps with their escape from Drive Thru Records, they may get better promotion and exposure than they ever got before.

These guys are a top 5 FAIL LIST from the fan bases that should enjoy them in much higher numbers. 15,000 Fans on Last.fm. That-shitty-number-needs-to-be-much-higher. They're just so much better than that. Maybe this sophomore/independent album will bring that number up to a much more respectable figure.