This is not an album review site, since I do that for the Washington Post. I try to maintain some sense of objectivity when I write these short pieces before my interviews. But for this, my second interview with Brian Roberts of Ha Ha Tonka, I am suspending that practice to say that Ha Ha Tonka is one of the best bands making music now. Their new album,Death of a Decade (Bloodshot Records), only futher reinforces my opinion. It's beautiful, it's soulful, it's energetic. And the four-part harmonies from these guys from the Ozark mountain region are mesmerizing. Predictably, the reviews for Death of a Decade are overwhelmingly positive. Their music has been described as indie, roots, alt-country, bluegrass, southern rock, among other label. It's hard to pin down, but that's probably why they are so good: it's got all those influences.
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