Saturday 18 May
OKG Newsletter
Stephen Carradini
Graham Wright — Shirts vs. Skins
Looking for some summertime power-pop? Look no further!
Indie
Stephen Carradini
Tokyo Police Club has an instantly recognizable and nigh-on iconic indie-rock sound. When I heard the words “Tokyo Police Club side-project,” I figured it was code for “more TPC songs, but some guys in the band wanted to take some time off.”
Piñataland — Hymns for the Dreadful Night
Beautiful arrangements, skilled players and excellent production. What more could you want?
Indie
Stephen Carradini
As a newly minted music producer, I’m now professionally invested in the way that recordings sound (which means I have even more distaste for the intentionally terrible recordings of the San Francisco garage-rock scene).
James and Evander — Constellating EP + 2
Like the Postal Service. But not.
Indie
Stephen Carradini
I love The Postal Service. I’ve yearned for the day that their long-rumored second album comes out; I’ve pretty much resigned myself to it never appearing. In its stead, I’ve sought out other ge
Matt the Electrician — Accidental Thief
Maybe the Avetts’ long-lost brother?
Folk
Stephen Carradini
Banjo-playing Matt the Electrician actually was an electrician before he took up music full-time. This sort of earnest, workingman’s dignity powers his pop folk.
Paul Simon — Paul Simon / There Goes Rhymin’ Simon / Still Crazy After All These Years / In Concert: Live Rhymin’
Only one of the four is a true reissue; but c'mon...it's Paul Simon
Pop
Stephen Carradini
Some reissues are chock-full of new bits that entice hardcore fans to go out and buy beloved albums again. Columbia’s reissues of Paul Simon’s first three albums do not fall in that category.
Givers — In Light
The most enthusiastic calypso/indie-pop band ever delivers
Indie
Stephen Carradini
Givers’ “In Light” does not capture the exuberant magic that the band puts out live.
The Pretty Black Chains — Awakening
You’d never know that The Pretty Black Chains very recently used to be a Brit-pop band.
Music
Stephen Carradini
“Awakening” is proof that their tansformation into a Led Zeppelin-style rock band was as complete as it was swift.
Extra Cheeze
Shea Weaver’s varied monikers — like Cheezecoat — correspond to where music has taken him.
Music
Stephen Carradini
Shea Weaver
9-10 p.m. Friday
JJ’s Alley
212 E. Sheridan 605-4543
Cheezecoat
Saturday
Midsummer Nights’ Fair
Lions Park 450 S. Flood, Norman
normanfirehouse.com 329-4523
Kill the Reflection — 3EP
Post-punk with promise and room to grow
Rock
Stephen Carradini
At its best, Kill the Reflection’s dark, fast music leans toward Joy Division-esque post-punk.
Nik Freitas — Saturday Night Underwater
Calm, mature pop songs with a deft touch
Son Lux — We Are Rising
An ornate, ecstatic set of indie compositions
tUnE-yArDs — w h o k i l l
Oft-inventive, sometime-bizarre music
Indie
Stephen Carradini
I’ve been listening to tUnE-yArDs’ “w h o k i l l” for a couple of months, which is far longer than I listen to most CDs I review.
Instrumental madness
Vintage instrument sellers will swap your noisemaker for cash
Music
Stephen Carradini
Go up to your attic, grab that vintage-looking instrument and point your wheels toward Country Inn & Suites, 3141 Northwest Expressway.
The Gardes — Make Out the Sound
Goofy, fun, low-key pop songs
Pop
Stephen Carradini
The MySpace home of Oklahoma City pop band The Gardes is /TheGardesMustBeCrazy.
