It amazes how great records instantly slide into your bloodstream, make themselves comfortable, and become part of you before you even have chance to recognize what’s happening. Of course, here’s where we say: This used to be much more common. The album is dead, right? It’s all singles now, baby. It’s a TikTok world, 60 seconds of microburst rush. Albums?!? We have lives to lead! The first retort: Shut up. The second: Listen to “Holy Souls” and then shut up again.
Fox Green’s second album, “Holy Souls,” disarms from the start — the beautiful, rich horns of opening “Hey Zola,” which comes on like “Moondance”-era Van Morrison. Yes, Fox Green is the Little Rock band featuring guitarist-songwriter Cam Patterson. Yes, Patterson is the chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Medical Sciences. One could be concerned Fox Green is a hobby act, but the band’s 2020 debut, “The Longest April,” put that notion to rest. In Fox Green Patterson is joined by songwriter/lead singer Wayne Derden, vet Little Rock drummer Dave Hoffpauir, bass player Jay Gentry and keyboards by Gaines Fricke.
“The Longest April,” solid as it is, is like an outline standing next “Holy Souls,” which is fully-formed, confident, sturdy yet loose and, rarer still, joyful. “Holy Souls” adds a couple more elements to Fox Green’s basic rock palate — those aforementioned horns and a few female duets. “Holy Souls” simply has stronger songs.
Fox Green’s worldview isn’t fully marinated in religion, but this collection can be considered a series of prayers — sometimes fervent, often irreverent — by characters worth knowing. Tragedy (death of a child), dark comedy and, above all, a recognition of affection are bright threads through the details rising up out of “Holy Souls.” If you need reference points, think of a gentler Drive-By Truckers or Big Star with a slight country twang.
Go first to “Howlin’ (AKA Howlin’ Wolf Talking Blues),” a loping, harmonica-fueled, spoken-word wonder where the repeated refrain “standing on the edge of the roof” sums up the rickety state of the narrator. “Jail App” is a novelty song producing a laugh that catches in your throat. “Then There’s You” is a welcome, un-ironic love song that’s catchy as hell. The album closes with “Sweet Rims,” where a crapped-out Astro Van is falling apart except for the rims and the romantic partner in the passenger seat.
No question, “Holy Souls” instantly takes its place among great Little Rock rock records. It’s hard not to hear the album and think of Ho-Hum, Kevin Kerby’s solo records, “Paw Paw Patch” and more of that era. Take a break from TikTok and thank me later.