New Music from Or, The Whale
Odd punctuation in band names always makes them better.
It’s odd to hear a down south sound coming from the San Francisco bay area, but then again stranger things have occurred in the music world. So it’s a good thing the local act Or, the Whale decided to give the big fuck you” to convention and did the type of music that they wanted to rather than fitting into the “scene.” A little bit of country and a little bit of rock n’ roll (pardon the pun), Or, the Whale is a refreshing sound that offers everything a music fan could want.
Seven members strong, Or, the Whale represents the San Francisco area with the raw power that only a big group can bring. Between the steel guitars, tight drumbeats and four vocalists, the band uses each member to their full potential in their compositional work and their harmonization. Their music has something for everyone, offering something for indie kids and country rockers alike. Operating within a traditional scene, they deviate from conventional country music and add elements that warp it into a sound that makes even the tamest listener into a crazy dance machine. Or, the Whale’s debut album Light Poles and Pines is a labor of love for and was completed with the band’s DIY ethic in mind, which is sure to make the experience of listening to it that much more intimate.
Light Poles and Pines comes out January 20, but to tide us over until then their single “Call and Response” offers a glimpse into Or, the Whale’s music. Lead singer A.P Robins’s voice is incredible, exuding that country twang and rawness that makes “Call and Response” the track that it is. Think old-school country when Johnny Cash was king mixed with that saucy modern guitar swagger.
Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Dec 15, 2008 @ 7:00 am
