Light Poles and Pines

Or the Whale | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 20, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Seany Records
• ASIN: B000YRLWMY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,296 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A special treat, August 4, 2008

By 

C. D. Gossard "Resident Tourist" (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Light Poles and Pines (Audio CD)

I will be the first to admit that I may be biased in this review of the wonderful album. I was so taken with this bands energy, and life at a live show recently that part of my feeling for the performance may have spilled over onto my thoughts for the album. However, even if you have never seen this lively band perform this album will pick you up and make you want to sing. With a seven person ensemble they are able to make a much more intricate and rich sound than many smaller bands could possibly achieve. Also the fact that nearly everyone in the band seems to take a turn at the mic makes for an album filled with a myriad of sound and texture. This is one purchase you are sure to enjoy play after play.

5.0 out of 5 stars My personal favorite new band of the year!, December 23, 2009

By 

Larry Kuttner "Lark" (Wonderful West Whately, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Light Poles and Pines (Audio CD)

Wow! I heard these guys on Mountain Stage and immediately bought both their first albums and they are soooo amazingly good! Not a bad song on either CD. Great playing and excellent male and female vocalists. Though I am not fond of comparing or labeling bands, I'll say that this is a great blend of alt-country and folk-rock somewhat in the Burrito Brothers/Blue Rodeo vain. There is some southern rock influence reminiscent of the Henry Paul Band, and some songs have a little contemporary Irish flavor that made me think a bit of the Cranberries, and a few even have a touch of Jam Band groove like something from Donna the Buffalo. This band should be all over the radio! I rarely get that ecstatic about any band that comes along, but these guys are the real deal!

5.0 out of 5 stars Why is Britney on the radio instead of Or, The Whale??, August 31, 2009

By 

Em (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Light Poles and Pines (Audio CD)

I saw Or, The Whale play a live show recently (summer 09) and although I rarely buy CDs, I had to snap up this album. Their vocal harmonies are tight and crisp, and I am a sucker for swingin' pedal steel and country lyrics--especially played with such pep. It seemed right to support them with my ten bucks.

The album has a good mix of tempos and country-influenced musical textures: banjo, acoustic slide guitar, male and female vocals both solo and in harmony, electric guitar, pedal steel, harmonica--and quite a few truly excellent tracks. "Call and Response," "Fixin' To Leave," "Death of Me," and "Fight Song" come to mind first. There is some great songwriting on here, and the lyrics to "Saint Bernard" are especially memorable. All these tracks are catchy, well-written, and show off the band's creativity with a foundation of solid country rock.

There are a few tracks that didn't capture the band's live energy so well, though. I usually skip "Crack A Smile" when it comes on, and "Bound To Leave" drags a bit. I'd give the album 4.5 stars if I could because there is room for improvement; but no album is perfect, and this one does better than most.

Overall, Light Poles and Pines is well worth buying for the outstanding tracks. I have listened to the whole thing at least five times on road trips, liking it more each time, and I can't wait to see what's on the next one!