These four gentlemen from the Missouri Ozarks are no strangers to the indie music world. Ha Ha Tonka, who take their name from a state park located in Camdenton, Missouri, have been playing music together for ten years and have released three full-length albums on Bloodshot Records (home to brilliant acts including Ryan Adams, Neko Case and Old 97′s). Ha Ha Tonka personifies the essence of their mid-Missouri name: traces of southern rock, bluegrass, classic country, a dash of honky tonk, and enough three-part vocal harmonies to make your Southern Baptist grandmother jealous. Their new album Death of a Decade packs a solid punch that’s sure to leave a mark.
The first song, “Usual Suspects,” immediately grabs your attention with a strong mandolin melody that becomes a welcome ear worm. The album continues with a strong, upbeat tempo throughout the following two songs, “Westward Bound” and “Made Example Of,” and levels off nicely with the anthem-like sounds of “Jesusita.” Sometimes plateaus in an album can leave listeners bored, but Ha Ha Tonka is forcing us to listen more closely. The middle couple of songs on the album are noticeably calmer than what fans may be used to on previous records, but I feel this is a sign of maturity. They’re not toning themselves down, they’re not trying to appeal to the masses; they’re maturing and learning how to write a solid album. Track six, “Hide It Well,” and track seven, “Dead Man’s Hands,” are great acoustic folk songs. It’s undeniable. The album picks up a little speed toward the end and finishes strong. The upbeat tempos pop out as the sure stars of this album upon first listen, but one beings to notice how this album was finely crafted upon more spins. The melodies you’ve heard but once are twice have quickly become warm, familiar, inviting. You hum along and feel like you’ve known the songs for ages.
Ha Ha Tonka gives us a fair dose of Ozark stories with lyrics about small towns and religion. Not only does lead singer Brian Roberts have a knack for strong messages, but the very sounds of his words are brilliant as well. “Heaven help us now/ I hear panicked Spanish” rolls lazily off the tongue and makes you want to say it again and again. Simple nuances like this are what make Death of a Decade so brilliant and I can’t recommend it enough.
What I appreciate: more attention to mandolin, a real full-length album with eleven tracks, a little less in your face twang.
What I miss: the goosebump-inducing a capella harmonies heard on Buckle In The Bible Belt.
Track Listing:
1 Usual Suspects
2 Westward Bound
3 Made Example Of
4 Jesusita
5 Lonely Fortunes
6 Hide It Well
7 Dead Man’s Hands
8 Problem Solver
9 Death of a Decade
10 No Great harm
11 The Humorist
Tonka’s on tour and they’re probably headed your way! Dates are here.
Editors Note: Kansas City, you can check out Ha Ha Tonka at Saturday, April 23, 2011 at The Record Bar with Clay Hughes and the What and Spring Standards. First band starts at 10 p.m.!
