Gather round, ghouls and goblins, and get ready to get into the Halloween spirit! Bongo Boy Records has put together a second volume of their Howl~O~Grimm compilation record this year. Howl~O~Grimm Vol. 2 is a collection of spooky tunes that features a great selection of supremely talented artists, covering a great mix of both fresh and familiar tracks from the spookiest season.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
The album opens with the totally timeless and iconic Muensters TV Theme Song, executed near-perfectly (if slightly cleaner and more modern than the original, including some impressive guitar work) by instrumental trio LoungeZotica 3000. This is followed by the bluesy, shuffling track Soul Motel by lifelong rocker Wayne Olivieri.
Spiderwebs In My Hair! by singer-songwriter Clark Ford is reminiscent of that iconic, retro Halloween music from days gone by. The great selection of vocalists is a high point with some particularly impressive female vocals on display, and the rhythmic, rolling saxophone solo is a nice touch. This leads us to Eyes On You by The Spies, defined by its classic rock feel and crunchy guitar tones.
Inches From Sin takes us in a more modern direction with Come See Me, a dark hip-hop track with airy, intricate, and at times soulful vocals. Gonna Get Ya by David LaDuke returns us to a more retro direction, with a 50’s vibe and some heavy vocal production that is sure to conjure ghostly images in your mind.
Is There Meaning? by skinsNbones is a solid, driving rock track. With hints of 80’s power rock and captivating, gravelly vocals, this track could easily stand alone as a non-holiday track, though its references to “the walking dead” cements its inclusion on this compilation. Similar things can be said of What’s Ahead for Me by STUDEO, a rock ballad with powerful female vocals and smooth, soaring guitar work.
And what better way to conclude a Halloween album than with a rendition of one of the most classic spooky songs of all time? Danny Ferreira has left us with a fun and energetic version of Monster Mash to tie things up – the perfect way to bring all of these unique pieces of music together.
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
Tilted Axes and Patrick Grant Group take us to a more traditionally and cinematically spooky sound with their instrumental track Imaginary Horror Film – Part 2. Deep strings and chilling keys lead us into the meat of this track, building in intensity and often quickly changing direction. True to its name, it genuinely feels like it could be the soundtrack to a horror film. At over seven minutes long, this track has plenty of room to develop themes and carry the listener on a journey, and it does – there’s both enough erraticism to keep you on the edge of your seat while still allowing for a story-like feel from the beginning to the end.
IN CONCLUSION…
If you’re looking for a soundtrack for your Halloween party this year, let Howl~O~Grimm Vol. 2 be the solution to your spooky music needs. With a great range of styles from classic rock to modern hip hop and many things in between, there’s something for every monster in attendance on this compilation. We invite you to listen… if you dare.
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BELOW: Listen to Howl~O~Grimm Vol. 2, and connect with their website and social media platforms. Please support these artists and Bongo Boy Records by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!