June 17th, 2008
This Hand Has Three Fingers: Mar, Oxford Collapse, Kaki King
Mar - Mother Star Sun
Listening to Mar’s Mother Star Sun is the sonic equivalent of a chilly breeze on a hot summer evening. It just trickles gently around you, swirling a tingle throughout your skin, and makes the atmosphere feel not as challenging. It’s a grower, pacing itself adroitly before finishing in a stellar flourish of soaring strings and swooshing percussion.
Oxford Collapse - Amongst Friends
What about some jangling pop happyness? Huh? Do we not have enough of that? Do we? DO WE? No! The answer is an uppercase “NO!” Do you hear me? You will listen to the oblique musical peppyness of Oxford Collapse’s celebration of friendship, which can be found on The Hann-Byrd EP, which is a lead-in to their double-album due out in August, and you will be thankful that you have listed to such a furtive, pert tune devoid of frills and syrup.
Kaki King - Bone Chaos In The CastleKaki King is one hell of a guitarist. She can pluck and weave and slide her way around a six-string with such dexterity and attention to detail that you wonder why the hell people are still pent up on Stevie Ray and Zakk Wylde. Probably because she’s not as show-offy and more privy to creating engaging musical moods. Anyway, save her a spot on the next Guitar Hero.