MOG Editorial Review

Rather than simply show reverence for the glory days of classic rock, Howlin Rain's new Rick Rubin-produced album succeeds by not only showing us the genre's nearly forgotten versatility, but breathing new life into it as well. While there are several standouts on The Russian Wilds that ooze the kind of stomping blues-rock the Black Keys have made their trademark ("Self Made Man"), the band manage to surprise listeners whenever things start to feel monotonous, especially the sprawling, horn-laden "Phantom in the Valley." Few modern rock bands can pull of this kind of sound, and we ought to be thankful that Rubin brought Howlin Rain to our attention.