Sunday 19 May
 
 

Various artists — Never Give Up: Celebrating 10 Years of The Postal Service

Few indie bands have had the impact on current music that The Postal Service has. Even fewer have done so with only one album.
05/15/2013 | Comments 0

Big Worm — Bench All-Stars

Fans of the comedy classic Friday may recognize the name Big Worm, but the Big Worm behind Bench All-Stars is rooted not in South Central L.A., but on the streets of Oklahoma City.
05/08/2013 | Comments 0

Code 22 — Going Soft: The Acoustic Album!

The guys of Oklahoma City’s Code 22 seem like a likable group of fellas. Their latest release, Going Soft: The Acoustic Album!, is likable enough as well — so likable that on first listen, I took its clean, acoustic sound and clear, unstressed vocals as an alternative praise-and-worship band.
05/08/2013 | Comments 0

Eureeka — Polysynthetic Fields

It’s always refreshing to hear music that embraces its own eccentricity, yet presents it in an accessible and meek fashion. Eureeka — the Norman-based duo of Jordan Vargas and Devin Wahl — has tapped into this rarified air on its self-released EP, Polysynthetic Fields.
05/08/2013 | Comments 0

Tom Skinner — Tom Skinner

Sincerity is nearly dead in songwriting. The image of the earnest singer with eyes tightly shut and a crack in his voice as he plunges to emotional depths has become a joke.
05/08/2013 | Comments 0
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Soundcheck: Beetyman — Underdog


Matt Carney September 28th, 2011  

It’s refreshing to hear earnest backpack rap at a time when some of the most topically vile, base and offensive music in the genre’s history (read: Odd Future) is what’s buzzing.

That said, another quality GRP FLY-sporting rapper’s emerged from the fertile Oklahoma City ground that produced Jabee, Josh Sallee and aDDLib. Beetyman hails from the east side, as he informs us on his aptly named debut LP “Underdog,” a record full of optimistic brass samples that surround a genuine, young talent.

Per the album title, most of Beetyman’s metaphors and concepts skew sports (“run the city like a marathon, I break that tape,” “like the Patriots in the Super Bowl with no cleats,” “coaching like Mo Cheeks”), and DJ Chips’ production features a lot beats and sample arrangements that are heavy with soft-rock synthesizers. It’s a fresh combination that, if continued, will undoubtedly produce success on the local and regional levels.

My only wish for Beety (and this will come as he matures and continues to work at his craft) is to continue to develop his technical game (a la Sallee) and the authority of his vocals. Despite B’s quality, endearing verses (“I write as a way to heal my scars”) on “Choices,” mentor Jabee shows up and owns the track with his more assured and emphatic delivery. But that’ll come with time. I’ll be waiting. More like anticipating.

To stream or purchase “Underdog,” check out beetyman.bandcamp.com. —Matt Carney


 
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