O'Neill & Wean - O'Neill & Wean - CD
(O'Neill
& Wean) O'Neill & Wean do have the chops. They are an acoustical
rock-jamming machine that plays catchy upbeat tunes and nice harmonies.
They remind me a bit of the old Dayton, Ohio duo, Glee & Beak, which
featured a young David Poe. The biggest problem I have with this
release is that the vocals seem a bit pretentious. The vocalist tries to
sound slick, but comes across as smarmy. The dialogue he injects into some
of the songs comes across as plastic. It's like Britney Spears trying
to sound pop-punk. There's a possibility that it could sound decent, but
deep down you know it's not authentic.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Oakenford, Paul - A Voyage into Trance - CD
(Hypnotic Records)
Here's a kind of review that I never had to do before. This is a disk full
of Club Trance music and the artist in this case is the DJ who mixes the
tunes together. So the CD is to be taken as a whole and how the tunes fit
together. I couldn't tell you any Trance artists, but I can tell you that
Paul Oakenfold is a master DJ and this release is great. The mixed
flowed smoothly throughout and it kept me on my feet the whole time as I
was dancing to the grooves.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Ocean Street - Ocean Street - CD
(Ocean Street)
I thought that this release was going to be a stinker when I saw the CD
cover. I have to say that I was surprised. Ocean Street has a country-like
sound with the vocalist sounding a bit like Bare Naked Ladies. I
believe that if this band was better known that some of the songs on this
release like "Memphis Blues" or "Galveston" would be on the charts as minor
hits. This is a band that is on the edge of stardom. The only suggestion
that I would have is to change their name and get a better artist for their
next CD cover.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
The October - ...Bye Bye Beautiful - CD
(Spark Gun Records)
With their atmospheric sound, swirling guitar sound and melodic male vocals,
The October reminds me a bit of Coldplay. The catchiness of
their songs was the first thing that struck me when I slipped this disc
into my player. “Through the Waves and Stars,” “Kings and Queens” and “Eyes
Closed” are all standouts on this CD full of wonderful tunes. This is a
band that should be included on your must listen to list.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Octobop - Very Early - CD
(Mystic Lane Productions)
This eight piece jazz ensemble is a great listen at any time and very engaging
when you listen closely to the arrangements. This is the type of lounge
music that makes sipping martinis and feeling cool seem so natural. The
arrangements have just the right balance of full sound and plentiful solos
to keep things swingin' the whole disc. These are types of songs where I
don't mind if they are covers, since their interpretation really makes them
into something new. Octobop covers greats like "The Pink Panther"
by Henry Mancini and "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" by Charles Mingus,
and several others. A great band to put on for a classy night in or to see
for a fun relaxed night out. Smooth and cool.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Odd Numbers,The - The Trials and Tribulations of - CD
(Coldfront Records)
This is a very interesting band. The music is pop alternative with a tinge
of various eras of rock 'n' roll. All the songs aren't muddled up with a
lot of extras. They have a pureness about them and have an overall good
feel.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Of Montreal - Aldhils Arboretum - CD
(Kindercore Records) It's
the Beatles meets Jellyfish. Of Montreal takes The
Beatles fun psychedelica sound (ie. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite,"
"Fixing a Hole") and gives it a modern-retro feel. I absolutely love the
tune "The Blank Husband Epidemic", which has a tinge of They Might Be
Giants feel to the lyrics. I would suggest that everyone give this a
listen. However, if you are a Beatles, Jellyfish or Redd
Kross fan, then I say you should definitely pick this one up.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Off By One - Off By One - CD
(LMC Records) Great punk-pop
from a young energetic band. They remind me of a young MxPx since they have
such a clean sound, but their vocalist sounds just like the guy from Frenzal
Rhomb...minus the Aussie accent. Most of their songs are about girls
and relationships which fits since three of four of them are teenagers.
I could see this band on MTV driving all the young girls crazy, which is
fine by me in place of "boy bands". Then of course there is the highlight
of the release; a cover of "Torn" which was originally covered by Natalie
Imbruglia and originally done by the great Ednaswap. If you like
punk-pop that isn't offensive and just a bunch of fun then this disc is
for you.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Oh My God - The Action Album - CD
(NoVo Arts Inc.) This
started out great with the song "Action!". I was thinking that it's great
to hear a keyboard out in front doing so well. It made me think of bands
like Brainiac and XBXRX. However, by the second song they
lightened up and turned into a keyboard backed alternative rock band that's
a bit on the soft side. I had such high hopes...maybe if they wrote more
songs along the lines of "Action!" then I'd really like them. But for now
they are just another average band.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Oh No It's the C*nts - Your Funny - CD
(Disturbing Records 3238 S. Racine Chicago, IL 60608) Damn this sucks...
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Ohio Players - The Millennium Collection - CD
(Universal Records) I first
heard of the Ohio Players while working in college radio and the
janitor told us he use to be in a band that was big in the '70s called Ohio
Players. I didn't know if he was telling the truth or not, but who am
I to doubt him. In fact, most people of my generation wouldn't even know
who the Ohio Players were if it wasn't for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
cover of their hit "Love Rollercoaster". (He told us before the Red Hot's
had covered the tune). They are to Funk what Iggy Pop is to punk.
The best testimonial for the greatness of a band is by how many other musicians
and artists they influence. Just listening to this CD and you can tell just
by listening the myriad of greats that they influences, with Red Hot
Chili Peppers being an obvious. This is one of those bands that you
would be doing yourself a great service by picking up this release. Then
you can let the party begin.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
The Old Ceremony - Our One Mistake - CD
(The Old Ceremony)
There's so much to this piano-based band, it's hard to know where to begin.
I love everything about this disc. The vocals, music and lyrics are all
great. The thing I like best about this release is the diversity of the
songs. There's a bit of a Nick Cave feel to the lyrics and presentation
on "Poison Pen" while "Papers in Order" comes across as a long hidden Paul
McCartney penned tune. A different kind of sound emerges on the next
tune "Get to Love" which bounces with a Celtic rock beat. There is a bit
of a Ben Folds on "Hearts were Made" but it is more in the wit of
the lyrics. The Old Ceremony end the disc with the folky song "Baby,
What is Going On." This is one grand CD through and through.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Gabriel Olin - Here - CD
(Go Bird Records)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
Oliver Squash - Losin' It - CD
(Oliver Squash)
This is a release of 12 homemade sythesized soundscapes. Most of the tunes
have a sci-fi feel to them. There are a few tunes where spoken word is incorporated
into the mix. I think the idea was to make the songs sound like they are
"deep," but I came away feeling that it help the whole disc sound that much
more amateurish.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Ollo - Album Preview - CD
(12 Apostles Records)
This preview of Ollo's follow up to their first CD, Sleeper
is mellow and witty with tons of samples, awesome wah guitar, and sweet,
percussive rhythms. I'm sorry, I wish I could say those things but I just
can't get excited about this disc. It plays as if I should be moving in
slow motion while walking away from a brand new looking Ford Mustang in
the desert being shot through a blue lens. It doesn't seem like the duo
has their hearts in the project. No, thank you.
-- Chavez Trepas (2006)
Ollo – The If If - CD
(12 Apostles Records)
This new age-like synth release has a few good parts to it, but it annoyed
me more than anything else. I enjoyed the male and female vocals and tunes
like the Portishead inspired “GordianKnotted” I could handle. But,
it seems like the band focused too much on having funky drum loops and wanted
to experiment with the combination of different drum signatures than to
worry about the songs as a whole and how the pieces fit together. So while
the manufactured sound of a drummer fumbling over him/herself might be different,
it’s not really that good.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Omar and the Howlers - The Screamin' Cat - CD
(Provogue Records) You can
tell just by listening to this CD that Omar is one crazy cat. It's
seems somewhat oxymoronic that the blues can be made to sound so fun. Lying
somewhere between blues-rock and blues-country, Omar sounds like
a smooth-voiced Wolfman Jack. This is one of those bands where the
dart throwing and pool playing stops as soon as they hit the stage in the
smoky ol' bar. Owwwww!!!!
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
OMUT - Ethnica Music Project + MOX
(OMUT)
The album-title gives this one away, although I am not too sure about that
MOX part. But, yeah, it's an ethnica music project. I didn't receive a press-release
with this CD, but I am thinking this is a Russian project. To be honest
I find this quite horrible to be listening too and the electronica parts
they've added only make things worse.
-- Hans Mutant (2007)
One Hand Free - Quadraphonic - CD
(One Hand Free)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
One Last Moment - How am I Supposed to Feel? - CD
(One Last Moment)
This is a trio from a small Ohio town. The release is really just a 3 song
demo with a paper cover and low budget recording...but the songs cut through
all of that. One Last Moment play great punk-pop with duel harmonies
and interesting guitar work, they bring to mind old local bands like Liquid
Draino or Kid with A Stick. They are a bit sloppy, but with time
they could be a great band, they are already better than half the bands
out there in my opinion. Hearing bands like this gives me faith in the future
of music. I'm happy to see young bands kicking it out.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
One Man Army - Rumors and Headlines - CD
(BYO Records) This is great...I
was expecting typical street punk music, but instead I got some melodic
punk edged rock with sing along choruses and tons of energy. They make me
think of a band like the U.K. Subs or Blanks 77. I think that
this is their best release and look forward to hearing more from them in
the future.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Organic - The Life and Times of Sal Sagev - CD
(Microcosm Publishing)
I have two pet peeves when it comes to compact disc's that bands send out.
One is when there isn't any contact information on the entire package, and
the other is when the disc itself is just blank or a photo with out any
other info on it. What ends up happening is that the CD gets separated from
its case and I have no way of knowing who the band is. This is what happened
with this CD. However, after listening to this release, maybe that's why
the band did it. They didn't want anyone to know that they were the ones
responsible for the 25 tracks of punk-n-grunt sameness that make up this
release.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Joan Osborne - Righteous Love - CD
(Interscope Records) I thought
I would like this CD, since I have liked some previous Joan Osborne
songs, but I was wrong. I just found it boring and nothing too substantial.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Osker - Idle Will Kill - CD
(Epitaph Records) Those damn
punk kids with their drums, guitars and crazy racket. What, this is pop
punk? What the hell is that? They don't sound like no Debbie Gibson
to me. Which is all right with me cause I can't stand that teeny bopper
crap. Hell, they should do a cover of "I Think we're Alone Now", that would
be wickedly woo. Was that Debbie or Tiffiny that did that
song? Man I gotta stop sniffin' glue.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Juan Oskar - Superhero - CD
(Juan Oskar) The
very scary cover photo really freaked me out and I had no idea what to expect
from this release. Once I finally played the disc what I heard was a keyboard
based song that sounded like something from an early Mario game. All of
the songs are electronically based with the exception of the trumpet which
highlights most of the tracks. It sounds a lot like the music that appeared
once disco was dying and people started to experiment with synthesizers
or to put it bluntly the music you hear as the backing track on a bad porno.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
John Oszajca - Elephant Graveyard - CD
(Dreamy Draw Music)
John made me think immediately of Todd Snider, but without
the razor wit. He has the whole alt country feel down and plays guitar with
a bit of southern fried madness. At times he heads into straight country,
which was a turn off for me, but over half the songs held my interest and
overall I give him a thumbs up.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Otep - Sevas Tra - CD
(Capitol Records) Fred
Durst and 311 meet death metal. Good use of the female vocals.
Not just screaming like the stereotyped death metal, I have to say overall
it's not bad but it wouldn't be a top pick on my list.
-- Simi Mutant (2001)
The Other Famous People - Big Endings - CD
(Dam Road Records)
I've been listening to this disc off and on for a while now and it finally
hit me where I'd heard the vocalist before. We had reviewed a band called
Humble B last year, which has two members in this band. His voice
is very distinctive and at times gets close to annoying…but overall it has
an endearing quality to it. Overall they have a cool, loose college indie
rock feel to them. I could see them getting along with the fabulous Happy
Happy Birthday to Me Records. The Other Famous People are a happy
band, using a large variety of instruments to make catchy songs that have
a surreal happy feeling to them. I can't say that I like them as much as
Baby Calendar, but I would put them in the same league…and that is
fairly high praise.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Otto's Daughter - Renew - CD
(AW Records) Well, this
disc caught me off guard and I've been listening to it off and on for a
couple of weeks now trying to put my thoughts together. On first listen
I thought it was a slightly cheesy Goth / Industrial band. But I'm glad
I kept listening because they have really grown on me and I really love
JVB's voice. Most of the songs on this have to do with relationships (or
maybe just one relationship) ending and JVB feeling hurt and hatred toward
the other person. Nothing really deep and insightful, but very personal
and familiar to some of us. There are also two songs in German, which works
great with the music, a few about standard Goth topics and one called "Showgirl"
which basically puts what's in a showgirls mind into the open. My favorite
track though is the haunting "Venus Asleep". I have really grown to like
Otto's Daughter and while they aren't my favorite Goth band (that
honor is shared by Joy Divison, Christian Death and Bauhaus),
they are one of the better ones that I've come across especially lately.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Our Lady Peace - Live - CD
(Columbia Records)
I've like Our Lady Peace since the first time I heard "Superman's
Dead". So, having never seen them live I was very interested in this release.
However, after the first listen I realized that I wasn't missing much. Other
than their two hits, "Superman's Dead" and "Clumsy", they sounded like a
stereo-typical arena rock band without a whole lot of talent. The only thing
that sets them apart in this setting is Raine's unique voice. Big sound,
big cheers and a kind of emptiness, this is the reason I stopped going to
big shows years ago. If you're a big Our Lady Peace fan you'll probably
love this, if not it's not worth the bother.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
Out Cold - Two Broken Hearts Are Better Than One - CD
(Acme Records) Ass kicking
punk rock and roll here. I knew I would like this when I noticed that no
song was longer than 2:13! Zeke, Supersuckers, Dwarves
styled madness. I should get more stuff like this to review! I find myself
bouncing off the walls looking for a pit to join! Good stuff here. Half
way through and still no guitar solos! I particularly enjoyed "High Maintenance"
and "Nailgun Murder" If you like your punk to beat you brutally about the
head and shoulders then get this!
Over It - Step Outside Yourself - CD
(Virgin Records)
This band evidently started out being influenced by two great bands, NoFX
and Jimmy Eat World. However, on their major label debut
it’s mainly typical commercial pop-punk like Sum 41,
Good Charlotte and Blink 182. Not bad
at all, but away from their roots and a bit too clean sounding. “Too
Much Information” is my favorite track on this release with many great
hooks and a sing along chorus that is hard to refuse. This is sure to do
fairly well due to it’s mass appeal and overall cheerful attitude.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
Owsley - The Hard Way - CD
(Lakeview Entertainment) I was kind of digging this release until the sixth
track "Matriarch" came on. It's like a really, really bad Joe Jackson
song. On most songs they really aren't too bad, just a bit ordinary with
some British pop influences. At times they head into the of bands like Oasis,
John Mayer and various power pop bands, but at times it's just a
bit too sweet for my taste. Not bad, but it tends to get annoying in large
doses.
-- Grog Mutant (2004)
Ox - Ox - CD
(Allegory Records PMB 228 11024 Montgomery NE Albuquerque, NM 87111) This
CD starts off with a melodious instrumental with an almost jazzy acid taste.
Then the band made the mistake of adding vocals and ruined the whole groove.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Oxbow - An Evil Heart - CD
(Neurot Records)
Noise, noise, noise!!! I cannot take the noise. A conglomeration of off-key
guitar and bass, along with rhythmic mumblings and drumbeats. It will drive
your parents crazy...and maybe even you.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Oxymoronatron - Live- CD
(Lab X Records) Oxymoronatron
are a Dayton, OH mainstay. Taking cues from bands like The Pixies,
Brainiac, Devo and general industrial mayhem, they put it
all together in an orgy of machine rock love. This is a live release, but
it sounds like a board mix, since the audience is not heard from. Most of
the songs are good with the standout being "21st Century Robot Love".
-- (2006)
Oyabando! - Oyabando - CD
(Oyabando!)
Combine Spaghetti-western, surf, sci-fi, ska, lounge with a tinsy bit of
punk and you have Oyabando!, a band that is nothing short of great.
Seeing this band live just has to be one big dance party. From the opening
note on "Action" to the "Underdog" television theme cover to the final tune
"M5", this CD had me twitching around the office like a fool and enjoying
every minute of it.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)