"The genius (and maturity) here lies not in the choice of songs but in the way the musicians have chosen to play them." -Scribbleskiff
The Dark Side of Hall and Oates is a tribute album like no other. Rather than simply "covering" the songs of the storied duo (after all, how does one improve upon perfection?), the members of Koot Hoomi have chosen to re-imagine the music as it might exist in an alternate universe--replete with off-kilter harmonies, psychedelic swirl, minor-key digressions, and the occasional spot of Tuvan throat-singing; all recorded with cheap instruments on an old-school Tascam 488 analog tape recorder. In addition to tackling the songs you know and love ("Maneater," "Kiss on My List," "Out of Touch," etc.) the Hoomi have also reinterpreted a number of deep cuts going all the way back to Daryl and John's earliest Philly demos. The end result is an album infused with the same bracing, adventurous spirit that has informed so much of Hall and Oates' own greatest work. Enter The Dark Side of Hall and Oates: A monumental body of song translated into a new and exciting language.
About the band: Koot Hoomi has been described by one astute observer (who happens to be in the band) as "The Traveling Wilburys in Reverse." None of the members of this collective are actually famous, but they may be someday, so what we have here is a slow-release supergroup.
Cast of Characters:
Robert Lurie (instruments, vocals) is the author of No Certainty Attached: Steve Kilbey and The Church. A lapsed singer-songwriter, he occasionally plays guitar in Solyoni.
Daniel Lurie (vocals) is the co-founder and chief architect of Solyoni, a Pacific Northwest band that has three critically acclaimed albums to its credit.
Swami Premananda (piano, vocals, harmonium), also known as The Anxious Lama of Sedona, has one wildly eclectic album (Closer Still) under his belt and another in the oven.
Harper Piver (violin, vocals, beats) is one of the most innovative modern dance choreographers alive. She often incorporates thousands of bouncy balls, not to mention a bunkerful of Hormel Chili cans, into her creative vision. Additionally, her rigorous Southern upbringing lends authentic Appalachian cred to her singing and fiddling.
Topher Blair (vocals) is a former teen idol and journeyman singer-songwriter who has destroyed hundreds of open mics across the Southwest.