"Canary Island," the latest single by Portland-based quintet Houndstooth, feels like driving to the beach on a sunny day. The breeze is warm, your windows are down and you wave lazily to some surfers as they cross the street approaching the ocean.
Tagged as "Southern rock" and "psychedelic rock & roll," the single certainly features elements of both, but also delivers a dreamy surf-rock vibe through twangy guitar riffs and the mellow vocals of Katie Bernstein. An organ line builds in the background as Bernstein croons, "Take me on a drive in your fast machine/Take me into town where the bright lights gleam." Soft questions and commands throughout the song follow a call-and-response format along with the simple, clear guitar.
Houndstooth is set to release their first full-length album, Ride Out The Dark, on July 16 through No Quarter Records.
SEE IT: Houndstooth plays Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St., with Eyelids and Denim Wedding on Friday, June 7. 9 pm. $6. 21+.
WWeek 2015