When Scott McMicken (Dr. Dog, Raccoon, Scott McMicken And The Ever-Expanding) moved to Asheville, North Carolina a few years ago, it was a matter of time that he and Greg Cartwright (Oblivians, Reigning Sound, Compulsive Gamblers, The Deadly Snakes, The Detroit Cobras) would jam together. The legendary songwriters/singers/guitarists asked local musicians Kevin Williams (bass, organ, vocals), Krista Wroten (violin, vocals) and Evan Martin (drums, percussion, vocals) to join, and The Hypos were born (read more about that at Asheville Stages). On their self-titled debut album they synergize their experience and skills in ten Bob Dylan-esque songs in which folky rock, bluesy soul and a few Jamaican rhythms merge. The wealth and variety of unique singing voices and vintage instruments are continuously fascinating and atmospheric, the song textures are detailed and subtle (but functional), the lyrics are empathetic and melancholic, the sound exudes warm autumn colors. Is that the sun breaking through after days of rain?
The Hypos’ self-titled album, produced by Greg Cartwright and Scott McMicken, is out now digitally – vinyl LPs and cassettes will reportedly follow later.
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