Howth :: "Secret Goldmine"

Ever since the collapse of the mercantilist economic systems of the late 18th-century, most intellectuals accepted the notion of national success in the marketplace was tied to more than accumulation of precious metals. Sitting on a pile of gold, or anything else for that matter, bucked the rules of supply and demand that governed these post-Enlightenment economies. And though it took nearly two centuries even Nixon took the United States off the gold standard in the 1970s with almost no fanfare. Now, the only fixation with gold arises from the far right wing, uber-Atlas Shrugged demagogues. But these are matters of national economic policy, not emotional, metaphorical geography. In these areas, Howth, a New Jersey folk band (How else can you explain both silky harmonies and slices of E-Street sax?) suggest the privilege in being "your secret goldmine" on their song of roughly the same name. The chorus is overlaid with a delicate female duet, indicating that being an outlet of emotional prosperity, in this sense, should be mutual. "Secret Goldmine" resounds as a beautiful and pebbled arrangement, set against hushed and downcast vocals, in moments sounding like a whispered Ra Ra Riot. Underpinning the whole matter is the notion of something scarce and rare becoming something private and kept, a love with enough kick to reverse of the last 200 years of economic philosophy.

Listen :: Howth - "Secret Goldmine"
Listen :: Howth - "Joseph"
Listen :: Howth - "Wind Blows Cold"