Music Reviews
Erica Colbenson
Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: Music and Entertainment
| |
| |
| |
|
There's nothing better than bourbon, especially when it's dirty. Dirty Bourbon River Show's debut album, Volume 1, is dripping with musical talent and fun. The musicality the band brings to the table is unheard of. Not since Big Rock Candy Mountain's EP, Hey Kid, has anything been this audacious and yet lovable. The clarinet on "Nelly Bly" touches your soul as lead singer Noah Adams softly sings, with low, baritone vocals. Not to mention, the use of the kazoo in "A Spectacular & Magnificent Day" is nothing short of brilliance. Dirty Bourbon River Show is like a whiskey-induced funhouse that never ceases to be entertaining.
SUN HOTEL, TEAM SPIRIT
Indie lovers, get ready for the next big thing. Sun Hotel's EP, Team Spirit, is so good it hurts. The album seems to get better as the tracks progress. Fans of Modest Mouse will enjoy the EP because they are similar in both style and sound. "Honey" is the track listeners will have on repeat, simply just to rock out. And"Swamp Thing" will remain stuck in the minds of listeners because the catchy chorus and interesting lyrics to match; "Sayin' no I won't go easy/ I'm taking home my baby/ Give her up before things get mean. And yea, I will fight dirty/ Dirty like a swamp thing." There isn't one disappointing moment on Team Spirit, and other local indie bands may want to watch out for these guys.
CHRIS REHM, SALIVARY STONES
Chris Rehm is the mad scientist of the local music scene. Salivary Stones is essentially an experimental, jam session, all put together by Rehm. The tracks on the disk take on personalities and emotions of their own. "Don't Leave Me Blue" sounds very optimistic because of the consistent beat, while "(Not Thinking About The Future)" begins almost mysteriously, but has some underlying happiness, cued in by the chord changes in the song. Aside from "Soggy," there are no lyrics in the songs, which is the only disappointing feature on the album, because Rehm is a tremendous lyricist. The tracks, however, are pure, experimental rock beats that entice you throughout the whole album.
OSYMAUGUSTINE , OSYMAUGUSTINE
Forget everything you know about hip-hop, because OSYMAUGUSTINE's self-titled EP is redefining it. The EP is nothing like mainstream hip-hop, which is considerably one of its better qualities. OSYMAUGUSTINE is full of great beats and background melodies, but it's the clever lyrics that really sell the disk: "I live my life between the fast lane and the soft shoulder/ You ain't comin' back when it's all over/ You only live one time." With lyrics like these, the EP puts listeners in mind of Atmosphere's older albums, like Seven(s) Travels or God Loves Ugly. "Enchanted Boy" and "Yolo" are two great tracks on the EP. However, "Drivin' in the Dark" is by far the best. Not only for the lyrics and beats, but the sexy, whisper style Osym and Augustine rap that puts the finishing touches on the track. Overall, OSYMAUGUSTINE is a great hip-hop EP that makes listeners want to "go hard" and leaves them begging for more.
Be the first to comment on this story