The O's - Between The Two

The O's - Between The Two
2011, Idol Records

Texas rockers The O’s avoid the sophomore slump on Between The Two, getting back to their musical roots in a set of twelve modern yet classic sounding tunes.  Drawing on influences as diverse as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and The Everly Brothers, The O’s put the finishing touches in place with the help of GRAMMY winning producer Stuart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, Cat Power, The White Stripes).  With over 300 shows on two continents under their belts, The O’s move forward into 2011 with the sort of momentum only hard work and talent can bring.

Between The Two opens with "We'll Go Walkin'", a wonderfully coherent Americana blend of country and folk with a distinctive pop sensibility.  It's a love song that's a bit outside the box.  You can't help but tap your toes to this one, and you'll be humming the chorus for days.  "Wrecking Ball" is a well-crafted tune about living on the edge of disaster.  It's a poignant number for the modern age, when for most families disaster is only one paycheck away.  "In Numbers We Survive" is an infectious mix of bluegrass and folk that gets stuck in your head and stays there.  There's an edgy insistence in the arrangement that's compelling.

"Tryin' To Have A Good Time" is a light listen, not so much for analysis as for pure enjoyment.  The theme is all about planning to have a good time, but the song will get your feet moving and features outstanding guitar work.  "We Are Young" is a perspective on growing up from one who is looking up at the road leading to the mountain.  There is something of a melancholy feel here, but the musical aesthetics are great.  "Time For A Change" is a catchy number with a positive vibe and is very enjoyable.  "Sunshine" is somewhat confounding for meaning.  It's a love song, to be uncertain, but for or to who is never really clear. 

"Pushin' Along" rides great composition and musicianship.  The overall output is solid, but as an instrumental work it would be sublime.  The O's fall into something of a lull, re-emerging with the wonderfully upbeat and happy "Everything's Alright".  The picking here is tremendous, and the bouncy feel to the song will have crowds on their collective feet.  "No Troubles Left At All" is a downbeat number with a great outlook.  It's a love song that opines on how great life is with her by his side, no matter what else may come.  It's a sweet sentiment that avoids cliché.

Between The Two has some highs and lows, but generally stays on an even keel as a better than average album overall.  The O's seem to have an ear for aesthetics, crafting arrangements that do more than just wrap around the melody line.  As musicians, you'd be hard pressed to find a more solidly connected ensemble.  The chemistry here is palpable.  Just as in any other band, not every song works perfectly, but even the misses are worth tuning in for.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The O’s at www.wearetheos.com or www.myspace.com/wearetheos.  Between The Two is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available on iTunes.

Kim Taylor - Little Miracle

Kim Taylor - Little Miracle
2010, Kim Taylor

Cincinnati-based singer/songwriter Kim Taylor returned recently with her fourth album, Little Miracle. A stark, stripped down set of folk rock songs, Little Miracle represents Taylor’s most powerful songwriting to date. The album was written and recorded in The Maid’s Room in New York City (a favorite place of Rufus Wainwright) over several days, and has the urgent emotional feel that only that sort of milieu can bring.

Taylor opens with the title track; "Little Miracle" is repetitive and catchy, about as bubblegum as Taylor will allow herself to get. The song has mild commercial appeal but isn't groundbreaking. "Lost And Found" sticks with the repetitive style but does so in a pretty melody and shows off Taylor's unusual voice. "American Child" is intriguing, exploring the dreams of parents affected by war and difficult times. The song might also be interpreted through the eyes of an immigrant family, a theme that's not lost on Taylor later in the album. Taylor delves into the depths of loss and grief on "Anchor Down", casting herself into a sea of emotion for a stark and moving vignette.

"Do You Ever Feel Lonely" intertwines a catchy melody and arrangement with a melancholy mood; an interesting juxtaposition that sounds like something that might come out of a jam session between Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt. Fatalism rules the day in "If I Am Wrong"; where effort is ultimate object but the outcome doesn't seem to matter. Taylor's shining moment comes on "Fruit Of My Labor", a brilliant look at life and dreams through the eyes of a migrant worker. Taylor shows distinct depth as a songwriter here; bring the subject alive in the vibrant color of her words and her presence as a performer. Little Miracle closes with a low key but powerful love song in "Sharp Cutting Wings (Song To A Poet)", showing off more of the impressive songwriting depth that Taylor kept somehow muted through much of the album.

Little Miracle leaves the impression of an artist who is getting better as she continues to write. Taylor starts out on solid footing, but the final two tracks on Little Miracle are the sort of songs songwriters aspire to a handful of times in their careers, much less consecutively on one album. You won't be likely to leave Little Miracle behind anytime soon, but when you do it will be in open anticipation of whatever Taylor graces us with next.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Kim Taylor at http://www.kim-taylor.net/ or on Facebook.  Little Miracle is available on CD from Amazon.com.  Digitial copies are available from iTunes.