Customer Reviews

Olly Oxen Free

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't write many music reviews, but I really feel like this album deserves one. I've listened to it countless times since I first heard it a couple weeks ago, and it's not getting old yet. The first time I listened, there were a few catchy tracks that jumped out at me, but the more I listen, the more I fall in love with each track (it's getting a lot harder to pick out favorites on this album). The sound is very unique. I keep looking for something else like it, but there's really nothing. Give it a try; I think you'll be glad you did. (I, too, first heard of this band on WOXY.)

Mason Proper's first album, There Is a Moth in Your Chest, while eclectic, energetic, and unique, was really a variety of disparate songs. Granted, that seemed to blend well with its frenetic, multi-layered contents.

Olly Oxen Free is part of a fundamental progression for the band, heralded by their equally strong Shorthand EP earlier this year. Its sound is very distinctly that of a unified, strong, coherent band. Although the songs range from fairly pop-sounding ("Point A to Point B," "Out Dragging the River") to angular and experimental ("Downpour"), they are all recognizably in a style that is Mason Proper's alone.

The music itself is in general a little more melodic and dark than 'Moth,' but without sacrificing its quirkiness and inventiveness. The instrumentation also seems a little stripped down, mellowed out, and streamlined. There aren't any veritable piles of sound like "Lights Off" on this album. With this increased spareness, it's a lot easier to appreciate the engaging percussion and bass lines that fill the album.

Going into the complexity and beauty of the lyrics would be a review in itself, so I'll just say they're in turns fantastically mystifying, wry, and heartbreaking.

If you're new to Mason Proper, Olly Oxen Free gives you plenty of bang for your buck and is a great introduction to a great band. If you're already a fan, I can only assume you've already purchased a copy.

This may be my favorite album of 2008. It's just...fantastic. I'd never listened to Mason Proper before this. I just keep listening to it over and over. It's been a while since I was this happy and excited about an album.

Let me state upfront that I hadn't heard of Mason Proper until recently when I heard them on WOXY ("BAM! The Future of Rock and Roll!"), the internet-only radio station that brings the best indie-rock station in the country, bar none. After I heard them, I decided to check out more, and so I purchased this, Mason Proper's second album. In full disclosure, I should add that I have not heard their debut album "There Is a Moth In Your Chest", released independently in 2006, and re-released in 2007.

"Olly Oxen Free" (10 tracks; 37 min.) starts off with an immediately engaging "Fog", showcasing the five guys' musical line-up of 2 guitars, keyboard, bass and drums. The good tracks keep coming. "Point A to Point B" is as accessible as anything on here, and the obvious radio single. Other highlights of the first half are "Look and Key" and "Out Dragging the River". After the short and pensive "In the Mirror", the band crashed into the last half of the album with an excellent "Downpour". The closer "Safe For the Time Being" sums up the album perfectly.

In all, a great album, and at 37 min., it just clips by and you'll find yourself playing this again and again. In all, this album is quite the pleasant surprise for me. I haven't had a chance to see these guys in concert yet, but I'm hoping they'll find their way to the Cincinnati area soon.

Mason Proper's follow-up album is a fantastic collection and a great display of what happens when a band matures in a very positive way. All of the songs on this album seem to progress naturally and purposefully into one another, and the album has an overall solid presentation and some infectious songs. While not displaying some of the more frantic energy of "There is a Moth in Your Chest", this album is far more consistent and delivers a very good collection of songs. It's rare for me to find an album that leaves me totally pleased. I typically will skip anywhere from 3-5 songs on any given album; but I find myself playing this in it's entirety almost daily. Check this album out, you really won't be disspointed.

Simply...

LOVE IT.


Dark, witty, lovely, sad, happy, creepy, introspective, funky.....everything.

It can (and will) please many people who like different types of music... it's own thing not to be stuffed neatly into any one genre. It's a little of this and a little of that from all eras and genre's of music---the outcome being it is completely and utterly unique.

You absolutely will not regret picking this album up.