Abstract rock outfit Oxbow heads this week’s list of releases spinning in the ALARM office.
Oxbow
The Narcotic Story (Hydra Head)
Release: June 5, 2007
On this, Oxbow’s latest offering, the group remains committed to its abstract rock formations over which vocalist Eugene Robinson lends his patented blend of gibberish, squeals, and screams. Most songs are built with and centered upon a pure rock riff, Neurosis-esque doom, or an acoustic guitar and then surrounded by layers of strings or piano. The Narcotic Story continues to give Oxbow credence as one of the more unique acts in rock.
The Conformists
Three Hundred (54’ 40 or Fight)
Though The Conformists celebrated ten years as a band in 2006, this year has brought just their second album, Three Hundred. The disc presents occasionally mathy mid-tempo rock with an atonal vocalist that conjures thoughts of singers such as Tim Kinsella (Cap’n Jazz, Owls, Make Believe), Matthew Irie (Cougars), and David Yow (The Jesus Lizard, Qui).
The Conformists: Various Tracks
Bonde do Role
With Lasers (Domino)
Release: June 5, 2007
This group of Brazilians put together fun, semi-minimal dance numbers with samples that range from tubas to rock riffs (check the lifted Alice in Chains snippet in “Melo do Tabaco” on their MySpace page). MCs Marina Vello and Pedro D’eyrot deliver half-sung, half-spoken lines of Portuguese to get the party started.
Gouseion
Puisne (Runriot)
Release: June 1, 2007
Gouseion, a.k.a. Cassidy DeMarco, kicks off Runriot Records with a disc of buzz-saw synths and electro neck breakers that leaves no shortages of grooves or melodies. DeMarco has previously released material as Monodec, C++, and Minijack, and has collaborated as Brokaw.