Empty Space Orchestra’s self-titled full-length doesn’t unseat Stetson, but it certainly makes a run for it. The trick with ESO is that they know how to balance their songwriting. If total mood pieces and obliterating guitar work are on opposite sides, ESO is running down the line between the two, grabbing stuff from both sides. […]
Stephen Carradini
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Brine Webb, The Nghiems to release CDs at same show
The Norman acts bring folk-inspired indie tunes to the table. Webb’s disc (brinewebb.bandcamp.com) showcases his weary voice; intricate, acoustic-based songwriting; and powerful control of mood over 14 tracks. The emotional center of the album is the excellent trio of the delicate “Rrose Hips,” the slow-building “The Red Queen (and All Her Men)” and the triumphant-through-sadness […]
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Still groovin’
Between age 25 and 50, there’s a lot of life to be lived. That is, unless you’re Groovefest, which is 25 and 50 at the same time. The free festival is also 26 and 40-something this year, too. The brainteaser goes something like this: Started by the University of Oklahoma’s Amnesty International chapter in 1986, […]
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Altar-ed images
On May 2, 1611, the King James Version of the Bible was first published. In commemoration of the 400th anniversary, an exhibit chonicling the book’s history makes its official world premiere, starting Monday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch. “Passages” is a 14,000-square-foot, interactive exhibit culled from portions of The Green Collection, […]
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Robert Johnson — The Centennial Collection
So when Robert Johnson’s “The Centennial Collection” was released, I jumped at the chance to reform my opinion on the genre via the greatest bluesman of them all. It features all of Johnson’s recorded output, just like the 1990 release, “The Complete Recordings,” but features different text in the included booklet. Forty-two tracks later, I […]
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The Boom Bang — World War Fun
But if you must try, their new release, “World War Fun,” is a pretty good approximation of their sound, provided you turn it up to 1,000 and break some stuff while you listen. The basic Boom Bang template: maxed-out, surf-rock guitars; howled vocals with outlandish reverb; tom and snare pound; and relatively normal bass lines. […]
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The Unthanks — Last
No better synopsis exists, as this sparse folk disc deals almost exclusively in exquisite misery. It’s a downtrodden affair, but it’s oh-so-gorgeous while being gray. Rachel and Becky Unthank (their real name!) are the driving force behind the band, as their pristine, incredibly British vocals dominate the proceedings. Their lovely accents are a boon for […]
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Other Lives — Tamer Animals
The intricate details and arrangements aren’t forced on the listener here; it’s very possible to listen casually and only hear some stately, beautiful, mid-tempo indie tunes. The songs are much more than that, but those who don’t enjoy seeking out the layers of composition may just hear a big wash of sound. Then again, if […]
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Colourmusic — My _____ Is Pink
That’s actually the first impression the disc makes, as opposed to the second: Every song is constantly moving. Push-ups work in neat rhythm to the groove-heavy, warped bass of “Feels Good to Wear.” You can get pumped up to the triumphant songwriting of “You for Leaving.” “Tog” is a swagger-heavy jogging song, while the insistent […]
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OKC rapper Nymasis flexes his skills
“A lot of these cats, they come with premeditated stuff, but I come with the essence of true battle rap,” said Nymasis (pronounced “nemesis”). “There’s no one here who can mess with me.” The rapper, legal name Anthony Tee, recently proved his words with a win in Oklahoma City’s “Hottest on the Scene MC” battle. […]