Hi, I hope the main page is the right place for this, it does sound like it to my ears.
So, Oxbow have a new album out. It's been ten years since their last one, The Narcotic Story, which I thought was fantastic.
I had no idea the band had a new album cooking. I'll put my hat in the ring here, I think Thin Black Duke is their best and it's certainly my album of the year so far.
Any fans here?
They're a really hard band to describe, lurching, angular, dissonant and often very confrontational.
Thin Black Duke, while still sounding like Oxbow, though, is much more melodic. It's beautifully recorded and the usual four piece bass/drums/guitar/vocals is complemented by gorgeous string and brass arrangements, orchestrated by the band's brilliant guitarist Niko Wenner.
It's emotional...melancholic, agonising and aching. Both wild and restrained.
It's certainly got its teeth into me more than anything else for a while.
It took three listens to fully connect, although I loved it from the first one.
Just found this insightful interview with them from last year talking about it. It's a good watch even if you have no interest in hearing them, I love watching artists discussing their work...see if this whets your appetite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLokUU8aijU
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