I say R.E.M. because of the little tinge of country that affects that band’s tunes (and subsequently Lemma’s), and the fact that singer Aaron Newman does a terrific Michael Stipe impression when he wants to. “Nothing Is Set” is a tribute to “The One I Love,” with Newman giving a dead ringer of a performance. […]
indie
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Doggie style
What started as a collective of friends in Philadelphia fooling around with amateur recording techniques will roll its way into Tulsa’s historic Cain’s Ballroom on Monday night, with sunny, late-’60s/early ’70s AM radio sounds in tow. The band is Dr. Dog, which unabashedly records charming, harmonic rock ’n’ roll more than 40 years after the […]
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Ben Folds — The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective
Those, of course, are his songwriting and piano playing (dude’s never been much of a singer, but to his credit, his voice has never seemed to hinder listeners from engaging with his music), which established Folds as the premiere balladeer for both Generation X and Y. He’s got plenty of other sensibilities, including a penchant […]
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Wash cycle
As Bleached, sisters Jennifer and Jessica Clavin deliver sparse, straightforward, buzz-saw rock chords and dense bass under harmonic cooing, mostly about sunny Los Angeles and its male inhabitants. And if you think they might wind up in a territory battle with soul sister Bethany Cosentino — who fronts the similar-sounding Best Coast — then you’re […]
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The Damn Quails — Down The Hatch
Showcased front and center amid a backing band circus that includes John Fullbright and Joe Hardy, White and Marshall confidently steer their way through 14 songs set in smoky bars, busted-up relationships, bluegrass towns and even the pokey. Despite their relative youth, the pair boasts many years’ experience, and it really shows in the strong […]
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Riot’s race
Nothing quite matches the touch of class a small string section can bring to a recording, usually added as an afterthought. Ra Ra Riot has used a cello and violin to transport its Vampire Weekendtangent Afropop from an Ivy League frat party to a garden soirée, as cellist Alexandra Lawn and violinist Rebecca Zeller are […]
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Brilliant disguise
Stillwater indie-rock outfit Deerpeople is no stranger to costumes. In the past, pre-show rituals involved cloaking themselves in any number of disguises, and although the band moved away from that in recent performances, Friday’s Hallopolis show at Opolis gives them a chance to relive it. “It’s fun to go back and revisit that,” drummer Jordan […]
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Body Language — Social Studies
At the same time, the band shines in its own unique ways, taking an artier approach to crafting equally catchy tracks and spinning out more funky moments. Indeed, Body Language’s debut record, “Social Studies,” digs further than “Manners” ever did, pulling from a deeper well of electronic and house authorities in creating a proper debut […]
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Twin Sister — In Heaven
That show was just last Friday. Both bands were on form and very friendly to chat with, despite slightly less than ideal attendance. But I digress. On to “In Heaven,” Twin Sister’s debut LP for Domino Records. It’s a delightful, gentle indie record with wide ranges in sound, but not mood (set at “wispy”), save […]
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Tympanic TNT
In the current state of superficial pop songs; flashy, hip-hop anthems; and too-cool-for-school indie-rock bands, it’s hard to find musicians who can elicit any sort of real, personal emotion. However, Austin, Texas, post-rock group Explosions in the Sky can do it, and without saying a word. “I actually think it’s because there is no singing. […]