Howling Bells – ‘Blessed Night’ (Bella Union) Released 01/05/06

Although there are references and comparisons that can be made for this band and track it must be said that overall Howling Bell’s image and sound seems genuinely original and not at all contrived on this evidence. Slightly gothy certainly but not overbearingly so. ‘Blessed Night’ is a beguiling, noirish, atmospheric pop song slightly reminiscent of PJ Harvey’s tracks on ‘Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.’ It’s gently done; with emphasis on the soft vocals of chanteuse Juanita Stein who voice is not dissimilar to Nina Persson of the Cardigans, but it also possess a fine tune courtesy of some melodic guitar riffs.