Tommy Howell’s new single “Whiskey Demon” continues the ongoing reinvention of actor C. Thomas Howell. He began his career as a legendary 1980’s-90’s acting mainstay, appearing in such legendary titles like The Outsiders among others, before transitioning into behind the camera work and other projects. Howell, however, decided to return to his roots, while still taking on new challenges such as filming a new series for Netflix entitled Obliterated, and began recording music under the name Tommy Howell – surely to try and free this endeavor from the preconceived notions typically attending an actor attempting to move over into a musical role.
It is wildly successful. Howell’s “Whiskey Demon” embodies its title in both its music and vocal. Howell growls from the depths of alcohol hell about his resolute stand that he’ll go his own way, come hell or high water, and no one’s going to stop him. This song has spirit, man. It isn’t the cheap formulaic spirit of mass produced country rock but, instead, a honest reflection of Howell’s musical DNA.
The guitar playing has particular bite. Howell opts to open the track on a low key note and the six-string works helps set the smoky mood. “Whiskey Demon”, however, truly comes alive when the full band enters and the track shifts into a higher gear. Some listeners may feel like they’ve been here many times before, regarding the subject matter and musical arrangement, but so what? There’s nothing new under the sun.
There are those, however, capable of pouring old wine into new bottles. Or, in this case, bourbon. Howell’s lyrics are surprisingly fresh sounding for a few reasons but one is that this sort of music is coming back to a degree of prominence again after many years existing on oldies stations, confined to a cultural backwater. An artist such Howell can be among those leading the charge for authenticity and passion returning to country music such as this.
His voice is a surprise. Newcomers won’t know what to expect coming into this, but Howell nails his vocals with a mix of the same performer moviegoers are familiar with spiked by a guttural edge. It doesn’t sound put on. Instead, Howell approaches this like the veteran performer he is and inhabits the lyrical role with attentiveness and scalding passion. He means business, for sure, but listeners will follow.
The musicians working alongside Howell, Sweepy Walker and Zachariah Malachi, deliver stomping performances. Producer Dean Miller, son of country music great Roger Miller, puts the right amount of shine on the track without ever cleaning things up too much. He’s done a particularly exceptional job of capturing Howell’s voice in a visceral and gripping way. There’s no pandering for a listener’s favor here, no gimmicks.
Tommy Howell’s second single “Whiskey Demon” is every bit as involving as the first “Rose Hill”, albeit pursuing a different subject, and promises that Howell’s further musical work will be as invigorating, if not more so. The time is right for this sort of music to come back, its rugged bluesy sincerity an elixir in a time when so much seems plastic, and Tommy Powell’s “Whiskey Demon” will provide the antidote.
Chadwick Easton