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CD Reviews: The Twilight Singers; Stars Of Track And Field; Oh My God; Oh Doctor

By Paul Maldonado
Friday, October 27, 2006

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The Twilight Singers, "Powder Burns" (One Little Indian)

The Twilight Singers is former Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli's latest project, and this is his fourth album under the moniker. Dulli explores the dark underbelly of love on such tunes as "Bonnie Brae," where falling in love is all about the rapture, the situation, that moment of emotion, but this being Dulli you know it never ends well.

"Forty Dollars" is a dystopian take on the Beatles - where "Love is for sale" and "All you need is love" and "She loves you yeah-yeah-yeah" - but deep down you know she really doesn't mean it.

Swirling violins and cello help create a mood throughout, while indie icon Ani Difranco lends her voice on a few songs ("Bonnie Brae," "Candy Cane Crawl" and "Powder Burns"). There's an underlying soulfulness, befitting Dulli's Motown sensibilities ("My Time (Has Come)"), while multitracked, echoey vocals propel the indie pop rocker "I'm Ready."

There's a breakthrough of sorts on "Underneath The Waves," where he proclaims: "I become alive." That sentiment is echoed on "There's Been An Accident," where, with equal measure of elation and dread, Dulli sings: "I'm alive/It kinda took me by surprise."

It seems the poet of dark spaces and even darker living sees the light, putting his demons - sex, drugs and rock Õn' roll - to rest, finally. And on the title track he gains a bit of redemption.

Dulli is able to pack more emotion and feeling into three minutes-plus than some people will ever experience in a lifetime. In the bio, he says that during the recording process he sobered up after seven years of a drug/alcohol-induced haze, and the mesmerizing results are grandly and ultimately uplifting.

Listen to "I'm Ready"

Stars Of Track And Field, "Centuries Before Love And War" (Wind-Up Records)

Embracing modern technology, this Portland, Ore., trio released its debut digitally in August before making the physical album available in brick-and-mortar stores. They kind of sound like Keane (with guitar) or Coldplay (only better).

Opening track "Centuries" bleeps and clicks with an electro-folkie vibe; while the psychedelic "Movies of Antarctica" is an epic slow burner without being pummeling, a soft-loud-soft epic in the Pink Floyd vein. (The group employs the same dynamic on "Say Hello," with the catchy lyric: "You'll breath beautiful, beautiful chemicals.") It also uses repetitive signature riffs to full effect on "Real Time" and the psychedelic mindscape "Without You."

While the disc tends to bog down a bit in the middle, it regains momentum on the desolate rocker "US Mile 5," which ends quite abruptly, and on "Lullabye for a G.I.Don't Close Your Eyes," where the almost whispered vocals are rather seductive.

The album closer "Fantastic" is a breakup song, offering two viewpoints; the experience is different for each person involved, and it seems to mean more to one than to the other.

Listen to "Movies of Antarctica"

The Twilight Singers headline a bill featuring Stars of Track And Field at the Launchpad, 618 Central Ave. S.W.. Jeff Klein opens the show at 9 p.m. Saturday. Over 21 only. $10 in advance/$12 at the door. Call 764-8887. www.virtuous.com

Oh My God, "Fools Want Noise" (Self-released)

This Chicago drum-bass-organ trio has added a guitarist for its fifth full-length, and the result is a glorious noise-fest that's all over the place.

The disc opener "Houston" is an unholy mix of disco/punk/hard rock that somehow works. "But That's Just Me" is a grinding rocker with opaque lyrics offering myriad ideas and themes. What keeps it all somewhat grounded are the soulful vocals of Billy O'Neill.

These guys mostly deal in hard rock - the organ-driven "Put It in a Song (So Wrong)"; "Better Than That"; the urgent "We Came Across" - but with a few twists: the tribal beat of "Facewash," the vocal menace of "Everything Is Good" and the hyper "Get Out to Sea" with its great guitar break. They can also do speedy, thrashy punk ("Fools Want Noise").

Overall, this is enjoyable high-energy music, but it might be a bit too in your face for some.

Oh My God headlines the Halloween show over at Burt's Tiki Lounge, 313 Gold Ave. S.W., on Tuesday. The Antiques, Lousy Robot and Lowlights open the free show at 10 p.m. Over 21 only. Call 247-2878.

Listen to "Better Than That"

Oh Doctor, "Color Beyond Closed Eyes" (Self-released)

This Mesa, Ariz., emo/screamo quintet is led by the brothers Nixon - Acey and Kodi - on dual vocals, while the band's twin-guitar attack is tempered with synth embellishments. The music is melodic and intense; drummer Merek Davis is a great timekeeper with a steady beat. These guys remind me of Thursday or Thrice.

"Play the Victim I'll Be Disease" (great title) is a pounding song of contempt and angst with a toy piano refrain. "Sheets" is a clever love song where the protagonist reminisces about his (deceased?) lover, whose scent/essence still lingers in the bedding. The guys encourage carpe diem with martial beats and staccato guitars on "I've Got Better Things to Do Than Dance."

As the album progresses, an unsettling motif emerges in the lyrics (but I may be making too much of it). Dangerous obsession conflicts "Blue Eyes" and "Aimed For Silence"; death and/or murder/suicide are the themes on the urgently twitchy "Now It Starts" and the mellowly twitchy "Under The Street Lights." Then again, emo boys are wont to put their (uber) emotions on their sleeves.

Listen to "Sheets"