简介
Seamlessly blending the vocal styles and guitar riffs of seventies soul with the edge and appeal of current artists, Oblio plays "organic mid-tempo bliss", as described by lead singer and songwriter Terry Price. Joining Price to create the distinctive Oblio sound are bass player Travis Vance, drummer Ben Dumas, and Mikey Martel on keys and trumpet. Bringing to the stage a diverse background from Connecticut to Texas to Georgia to Tennessee, each member of Oblio contributes his own musical experiences and background to the diversity that sets Oblio apart from the expected. It is the effort of the entire band that keeps the creativity flowing but the music reachable, identifiable, and alluring to a broad range of listeners. Often compared to Ryan Adams and Cake, the band's influences range from the sweet melodies of Stevie Wonder and the glitz of the disco era to Neil Young's guitar riffs with the raw honesty of Nirvana and the subtleties of Steely Dan. Taking their name from Harry Nilsson's 1971 animated film, "The Point", Oblio pays homage to the young boy's journey to discover his place in the world by embarking on a musical voyage of their own, eager to look closer at life, music, and themselves. ___ Dissecting Dichotomy Dichotomy has a really great sound; thoughtful prose embodied in moody esoteric vocals. Production is stellar for a 1st album; produced enough to sound solid, but not so much to filter the affecting colors of the music. It's nice to see an artist take time with the 1st release. To unleash their potential carefully, rather than cranking out the quickest thing they can in order to appease local fans. Personally, I think a well-written album embodies the effectively told story of the artist and their journey. Linear; constructing a passage to its creator's own subconscious, smoothly ebbing and flowing through a collection of experiences; musically, lyrically. As for this album: I love the drift and changing ambiance created in each track; like an evolution of an individual's journey through their own existence - relating so personally to the artist, yet commiserating with listeners. We've all been there. *I interpret*: Better than Walking starts out with upbeat groove, seemingly self-depreciating, slightly bitter. Savannah keeps the sentiment, yet shifts to a less assuming rhythm and lyric, trumpet and keys solidifying the track. Scenery changing again, reckoning self, assessing them, her, *head nods ascension, keeping the beat*. Brooklyn levels it out, serenading, the comforts of home, progressing with Lay Down, almost a slightly irie tempo, laid back, shyly beseeching. Then chomping it's way forward with So Good, edgy, not allowing the listener to get complacent from there, a 180 degrees, lulling into heartfelt affection with That's Why (ordered wrong on cd back, yes?), the echo of background feminine vocal validates this track (of course, I, as a woman, would say that). So Well saunters in with a candid and slightly sardonic look at self which is accentuated in the lyrics and groove of Superpowers, acknowledging and accepting human fallibility. Walls ends the story, punctuating the importance of keeping such open-hearted humility, though admonishing self/listener, it still provides a hopeful ending to this album. Composition is thoughtful and well written; Dichotomy tells its story well. Overall, I think, Oblio is a great band and has potential to continue to get even better. -Allie M. Bell
