Artist: O.Children
Title: O.Children
Genre: Psychedelic / Post Punk / Pop Noir / Cold Wave
Release Date: 15th October 2010
Label: Deadly People Recordings
Album Review
Named after NICK CAVE’s song O.CHILDREN (added punctuation) formed only a year ago, dazzled audiences with their music, towering presence of their singer Tobias O’Kandi as much as his rich baritone. They list influences as FRANK ZAPPA, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, SONIC YOUTH. SISTERS OF MERCY come to mind too and of course NICK CAVE especially when it comes to vocal narration in several songs should be listed there as well. They’ve been likened to JOY DIVISION by many but this won’t put a heavy stone of hope shredded existentialism around you and plunge you into the thickness of depression, the moods and atmospheres are not so monochrome with O.CHILDREN. Last year they’ve released a single ‘Dead Disco Dancer’ already and in April this year another ‘Ruins’, followed by their self-titled debut this July. The London scene already heard about O’Kandi and Sleath from the days they played with BONO MUST DIE, which due to Bono’s suing them for it resulted in renaming to ORPHANS FKABMD. Some of the humorous streak is still exercised in the new creation, which is good to see!
‘Malo’ echoes THE HOUSE OF LOVE’s ‘Shine On’. Many songs such as ‘Dead Disco Dancer’, ‘Ruins’, ‘Ezekiel’s Son’ particularly exhibit great mood-inducing basslines and drumming with the vocals being as equal and not overshadowing and remarkable. ‘Dead Disco Dancer’ was one that particularly stood out for me, the backing vocals complimented O’Kandi truly well, danceable but varied, contains a good riff, all and out a terrific composition and so was ‘Heels’ - beautifully melancholic with outstanding and evocative vocals. For a band playing for only one year, they exude confidence and a sense of direction though I think they have to shed more of the revivalist feel and assimilate their influences deeper still, they show themselves after all as good and capable musicians. ‘O.Children’ is a pleasant and commendable album and they, a promising band to watch out for.
Tracklist
01. Malo - 3.55
02. Dead Disco Dancer - 3.46
03. Heels - 4.20
04. Fault Line - 4.09
05. Smile - 5.38
06. Ezekiel’s Son - 4.13
07. Ruins - 5.05
08. Radio Waves - 4.35
09. Pray The Soul Away - 4.31
10. Don’t Dig - 5.11
11. Lily’s Man (Bonus Track) - 4.06
12. Ruins (Explicit) - 4.54
Line-up
Tobias O’Kandi – vocals
Gauthier Ajarrista – guitar
Harry James – bass
Andi Sleath – Drums
Website
http://www.myspace.com/ochildren
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Total: 7 / 10
{jos_sb_discuss:19}
Comments powered by CComment