Wednesday 19 Jun
 
 
CD reviews

Kanye West — Yeezus

Try as you might, but there’s no escaping Kanye West. Turn on the TV, radio, computer — hell, take a stroll downtown and you might see his mug projected on the side of a building. It’s an undeniable fact of life in 2013: Kanye West is bigger than Buddha, Krishna and The Beatles (today, anyway) and he’ll be the first to let you know about it.
06/18/2013 | Comments 0

John Moreland — In the Throes

With the soul of a poet and the look of a Sons of Anarchy extra, Tulsa’s John Moreland has been gifted the sort of gravely, booming voice that does Bruce Springsteen proud and a similar understanding of the universal human experience. It’s made for some fantastic records — both as a solo artist and with his dissolved Black Gold Band — and In the Throes is his best yet.
06/19/2013 | Comments 0

Jumpship Astronaut — Lights Burn Out

Oklahoma has never been the haven for electronic rock music that it is for country, folk and, as of late, psychedelic pop, but from the sound of Lights Burn Out, Oklahoma City upstart Jumpship Astronaut seems intent on changing that.
06/12/2013 | Comments 0

Various artists — Reaching Out

Like so many Oklahomans, the local music scene has responded with generosity and grace in the wake of last month’s tragedy in Moore. In the weeks since, droves of local musicians have banded together for benefit concerts and radio marathons to raise funds for the relief effort, and with extraordinary results.
06/04/2013 | Comments 0

Progress in Color — Get Well

It’s been a long, bumpy ride for Glenpool’s Progress in Color, which saw a record deal with Epic evaporate before even one record could come of it, but it’s led the outfit to where it was supposed to be.
06/04/2013 | Comments 0

SXSW: We Were Promised Jetpacks


Artsy, complex rock with pop inclinations

By Stephen Carradini March 17th, 2012

Following Cloud Nothings was We Were Promised Jetpacks, who have long had my award for the best name in rock. Their set was also tightly-constructed, riding a line directly between The Men and Cloud Nothings in mood. The bouncy, perky mood of the songs was balanced by the lead singer's soaring, keening voice. The tunes were injected with a gravitas both from his tenor and the melodic riffs that each of the guitarists and the bassist contributed.

The band also had several very long instrumental sections that banked heavily on the interplay between the three guitars and drums. These sections were especially interesting and moving, as the tension built to the breaking point before the band released it (either through vocals, a new riff, or a drop to nothing). The tunes had a turn around each corner, and the set was incredibly enjoyably because of it. If you're a fan of artsy, upbeat, complex rock, We Were Promised Jetpacks is worth your time.


 
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
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