J. Houligan is a one-man-band in the studio. He is a songwriter from the North Country of New Hampshire residing in one of the cloudiest places on earth. The lack of sunlight reflects the attitudes of those who live up there. The album "Dark Valley Days" signifies the melancholy lifestyle of living in a small town along the Androscoggin River in a dark valley surrounded by majestic mountains. However, the songs negate depressive feelings adding dark humor and candor to the lyrics. It is difficult to categorize the songs into a genre -- the musical styles are mixed up making the sound timeless. The main styles are blues and punk which can be summed up as "blunk," although many styles are used. The opening track, "Number 2 Pencil" is edgy but simple in form. The musical style could be described as alternative rock and maybe, perhaps, a snippet of grunge. The lyrics begin the journey of the album with a elementary school theme -- a nerdy, geeky, ordinary metal head reacts to stigmas and classifications of character with angst and becomes the class clown. "River Valley Blues" is a shout-out to classic rock. The lyrics sum up the theme of the album which is "Dark Valley Daze," but in a fun, humorous way. "The Road" talks about the road of life and moving forward even during a breakdown -- it's about the ride, not the journey, so don't focus on the fear of expiration. The style could be said to be a combo of alternative and punk with a swing feel. "Rebel Junkies" uniquely describes the effects and dangers of drugs adding a peculiar sense of humor and warning. The style is a wacky mix of hard rock, jazz and punk conveniently called "junk" which also adds a swing feel. A woman is crying at a funeral at the beginning of "Hymn." The acoustic instrumental sound is vinyl in nature and breaks up the album slightly. "Twisted Love Song" is another bluesy, swingy emotion adding an element of punk and alternative. The lyrics "twist" common notions of love and lust. "The Ride" stands on it's own -- it's main styles are jazz and blues and hints at reggae in the bridge, then, surprisingly, turns it up with a punk riff, and then returns to itself. It all flows like a current. "Against the Grain" changes things up a little with heavy, sludgy blues riffs. The lyrics enforce individuality. The last song, "Just a Name" pokes fun at celebrities and minimizes stardom as overrated. The style mixes rockabilly, or older bluegrass/country and oddly, but fittingly incorporates punk once again -- "cunk"??? Enjoy!!