Thursday 23 May
 
 
CD reviews

IndianGiver — Plafond EP

If you were to peruse the “About” section of IndianGiver’s Facebook page, you’ll notice how the instruments attributed to each of the Oklahoma City band’s five members are described with downright flippancy: Dylan Jordan plays “sticks & animal skins,” while Jazzton Rodriguez earns his keep with “shanties & loud noises,” and so on.
05/22/2013 | Comments 0

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

SXSW: G-Eazy / TOPS


Indie-rock rap and hazy pop

By Stephen Carradini March 16th, 2012

G-Eazy
Credits: Stephen Carradini

A large part of SXSW's fun is wandering into a show that you didn't know existed. I had G-Eazy on my to-see list, but I didn't have a specific show marked out until I stumbled upon one as I was cruising shows on Sixth Street. It was happening as I stood in the street, so I headed up the stairs to the show.

TOPS
Credits: Stephen Carradini
G-Eazy's rap is most interesting to me for his beats; he flips everything from Tennis to "Runaround Sue" into beats, making his songs consistently interesting. His flow is pretty solid, heavy on the puns. A large crowd was assembled for his set, and they gave him interaction when he asked for it; they were into the set. Generationals' "When They Fight, They Fight" powered G-Eazy's tune "Make-up Sex," and Tennis' "Marathon" powered G-Eazy's "Waspy," both of which were highlights of the set.

I ducked into PopMontreal's M for Montreal stage next, because that's my go-to fallback. With all the great music coming out of Canada, it's almost a sure bet. I caught the last song of TOPS, which was a beachy, hazy, female-vocals, teen-inspired tune that felt like a less snotty Best Coast or a more solid Beach House. Rad.
 
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
 
 
 
Close
Close
Close