Oxford Bands: Cogwheel Dogs & BabyGravy

Cogwheel Dogs

Greenhorn EP

Kitchen
The Greenhorn EP begins with the incessant tapping of metal on metal which then underscore plucked acoustics before intermittant drumming and high tops introduce the vocals. The percussion her is refreshingly unique as it is there to add effect rather than keep time, a feature that endeared me to the their stylings way back when.

The double bass, plucked early on before being bowed later, is haunting enough on its own but with the light background guitars, progressive drums and menacing vocals with perfectly introverted lyricism it adds to a heady concoction that makes for a great opener.

Spit
The ensuing track starts off more traditionally but the layered instrumentation seeps into the track independently to ensure a cocophonic, controlled, yet energetic performance and the vocals are solid in parts where others might waiver. In other words; this chick got a VOICE!

Power in Paper
The music here is a little more sparse as the lyrics take the front seat that they are worthy of. Supported well by driving strings, the delivery is excellant on this track. Possibly the pick of a great bunch.

Octavia
Kicking off much like Alan's Psychadelic Breakfast with what sounds like an egg being fried... Maybe not though who knows, sounds cool though. The sizzling fades out for an acoustic guitar backed up by light bass. The lyricism here is exceptional, I dig the hell out of this track.

Overall the EP is mega impressive. Home recorded faultlessly and, the thing that impresses me the most is that what was great about BIRP inclusion cress and their first single Ducking stool they've taken and built upon to glorious effect.

BabyGravy
Not Waiting/Hot Night

"Not waiting" is a stylish track, the drums that I have eulogised with high praise in the past lead the way with light tabbed electric guitar and sharp vocals following where they drive. Things get heavier with a metal inspired guitar solo which underscores the second verse superbly without ever threatening to drown out the other aspects that make BabyGravy a great band live as well as on record.

The B-side is a little more electro with disco keys and a hook that will stick with you as you step out of the doors into the apocolyptic tempatures of the english streets from the venue. Or the bus. Or wherever you're listening.

New music (sonic youth/marina and the diamonds/cogwheel dogs/dum dum girls/client)

I now get a warning to remove the files which is great except i got like 7 on my last few posts so that was a little demoralising but it's better to have that than the whole blog removed and as you can see it's still been going pretty strong despite all this. Spread the word if you please.












Marina and the diamonds- Obsessions

I love polly scattergood at the moment, her beautious visage melded with lyrics from the darkest corners of a lunatic asylum. And this is the same reason I dig marina and the diamonds. This track is laden with secret stars like angst with her synesthesia infused vocals. Maybe the piano is a little simple but the pulsing of the percussion helps it on the journey that she's becoming pretty spectacular at creating.














Sonic Youth- Anti-Orgasm

Sonic Youth's new album is their first on the matador label, ending their 17-year long love affair with geffen. This track is all about the guitars, so much going on and very little repeated, solos all over the place, riffs riffing in and out of each other and feedback on the rhythm, it what weve come to expect in a way and it's where SY are at their best. "The tracks with the chick on are the best". This piece concludes with a dreamy outro, ambient sonic youth at their best. This album is a return to form.

















Client- Lullaby

Electronically and disco driven, robots in disguise influenced the pulse beat is fairly resounding in that the lyrics become a little background not that they're particularly meaningful. Bottom line is don't get this track if you want insightful, introverted lyrics just get if you dig synths and robot girl vocals, they're ok for sure... but also really, really hot.













Cogwheel Dogs- Ducking Stool

I found these two guys (M/F) on last.fm and the best thing about them is they sound like a full band. Layered vocals and harmonies, drums, guitars, cello... Well I say that's the best thing they're actually awesome in other ways too. I'll be following this band. The lyrical themes on this track are reminiscent of cloud cult as well as the delivery and some of the guitar parts sound so much like modest mouse it's heaven. They've got other free tracks on their last.fm so check them out.
















Dum Dum Girls- Longhair

This chick dee dee is very riot grrrl. Defining herself “blissed out buzzsaw”, she concentrates more on making the music as low-fi and fuzzed up as is bearable before dulling that out and switching it to the vocals. It's all very intelligently layered and being self-produced she really knows what works well with her sound and knows how to get it. It all sounds like something you'd hear if you fell asleep due to sunstroke at a music festival in one of the less populated band tents and realised what you were hearing is in your head.