James Houlahan

“ Near the top of must-see and hear indie singer-songwriters. ”

 

— Glide Magazine

“ His eccentricities and musical detours are exactly what makes this album most appealing.” ” – Declan Culliton

— Lonesome Highway

“ ‘The Wheel Still in Spin’ is an album that warrants repeated listening, and will hopefully expose James Houlahan to a broader audience hungry for adventurous folk music – grounded, yet brave enough to wade into the deep end of experimentation. ” – Mike Elliott

— Americana UK

“ Personal yet universal, introspective and dreamlike.” ”

— The Daily Country

“ Paints a stunning romanticized vision of the West.” ” – Krissy Brown

— Cowboys & Indians Magazine

“ His record is simultaneously forlorn as it is warm and enveloping. ” – Alex Gallacher

— Folk Radio

““Houlahan is one of those gifted songwriters which has to write, has to play and has to sing. It doesn’t matter if anyone’s listening or not. He going to sing for himself first, if there are ten, 100, or 1,000 listeners in front of him even better. He’s going to sing his songs regardless.”” – King Cliché

— Innocent Words

““[Houlahan’s] songwriting eccentricities add serious vibrance to the mosaic. James seems to be a veritable encyclopedia of folk music, ranging from traditional to futuristic, comforting to wonderfully strange…his entries are extraordinary no matter which folk/American direction he goes in. This is the kind of music that any craver of pure songwriting prowess is bound to enjoy.” – MW

— Music Morsels

“If you like Tom Waits, Neil Young and Townes Van Zandt, then chances are big you will become a fan of James Houlahan.” – Mr. Blue Boogie

— BillyBop

““As the album title [Multitudes] implies, Houlahan embraces the wide view of americana. He trips through gothic alt-country, warped Dixieland and a serious side of southern fried on the first three songs, and then he really takes off.”” – Jon Worley

— Aiding & Abetting

““James Houlahan kicks off the new CD with “Fires Of Mercy,” a song with a very cool vibe, like a twisted, dark, personal carnival populated by ghosts, by apparitions. It’s a carnival where we are both barker and mark, and sounds like a delightful, lonesome waltz into hell.”” – Michael Doherty

— Michael Doherty’s Music Log

““Houlahan’s gravely voice is a bit like Dr. John’s; and the atmospheric Multitudes often takes you down roads that seem as enigmatic and just plain weird as anything the good doctor has delivered…Houlahan seems to be on to something original and noteworthy.”” – Jeff Burger

— No Depression

““Kris Kristofferson, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits got together for an afternoon of Grand Guiginol and… An utterly nutty but serious record for confirmed left field tastes.”” – Chris Spector

— Midwest Record

“This latest collection of songs [“misfit hymns”] is a heartfelt journeyman’s tale of love and life as influenced by the kindred minds of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Warren Zevon and Neil Young.  His songs are earnest and intimate, yet meticulously arranged. While Houlahan straddles the line between traditional folk and country, there are occasional nods and pushes of musical boundaries seldom explored by singer/songwriters of this ilk. Rarely have music and words collaborated so closely to convey mood so effectively.” – Joel Simches

— The Noise

“James Houlahan is clearly an artist that’s in it for the long haul. How else could his sophomore record, Misfit Hymns, feel so natural despite covering just about every possible angle of the folk-rock shtick? From the unabashed twang of opener New Year’s Day to the obligatory Bon Iver-esque Song for Janis, no two tracks on this album are much alike. It’s a true relief to see an artist who, when faced with the post-debut dilemma of “what next?”, decides to keep striking out for new ground…the variety in this record means there’s a ton of depth for repeated listens. Likewise, when you consider the great production, the tight backing band, and the general sense of well-being that pervades the entirety of Misfit Hymns, there’s really no question here. Anybody who digs folk and doesn’t fear the word twang should grab this new release while there’s still time…” – Matt Sokol

— UNregularradio.com

“[Seven Years Now] is such a great album—full of bittersweet lamentations and twanging guitars. There are a lot of good songs here, so let me name some highlights. “Paper Man” is so beautiful and plaintive—Houlahan is backed by an unnamed female vocalist who adds a haunting dimension. “Rocketship” is another really beautiful track…this is a great album chock full of melancholy but nostalgic tracks and I’d highly recommend it.” – Emsterly

— The Noise

“Houlahan’s songs are heartfelt and honest while being fuzzy and energetic and fun.” – Chuck Foster

— bigtakeover.com