Or, the Whale

Or the Whale (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Seany Records
• ASIN: B002LGWWW0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,018 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

(SR1227)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars +1/2 - Superb rock, country, folk and soul from San Francisco, November 7, 2010

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Or, the Whale (Audio CD)

Why isn't this band famous? They combine the best elements of West Coast `60s rock pioneers (Airplane, Dead, Springfield and Grape), UK folk (Fairport Convention, et al.), and the indie roots view of music as border-free. Alex Robins and Lindsay Garfield's harmonies on "Rusty Gold" brings to mind Slick, Kantner and Balin, while the plaintive opening lyric ("My dog died and it broke my heart / letting go is the hardest part") threatens to renew the tears once shed for Henry Gross' "Shannon." Here the sorrow is more philosophical than purely sentimental, and the chorus gears up to the anthemic feel of the Airplane's "Crown of Creation." The band's tagline, "voices everywhere," is a brag fulfilled, as the studied tempos provide opportunity to deeply explore duet and harmony singing as multiple singers bend and stretch the lyrics in vocal textures that complement and contrast. Even Tim Marcus' pedal steel adds emotional texture to the words with its instrumental voice. The band mixes rock, country, folk and soul, but not all at once, letting one style lead and others tint the songs with subtle colors that create a somber mood. You can pick out influences, such as the Gram/Emmylou (or Phil/Don) vibe of "Count the Stars," the Neil Young riffs, or the title nod of "Black Rabbit," but the band never loses itself in nostalgic reverie. Returning to the question of the band's lack of worldwide acclaim, maybe it's due to their oddly punctuated name, because it's certainly not a lack of great music. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2010 hyperbolium dot com]

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!, August 3, 2010

By 

I. Swenson (Falls Church, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Or, the Whale (Audio CD)

I love listening to this CD and usually do so a few times a week!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, May 17, 2010

By 

James D Kirk Jr (Culloden,, WV United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Or, the Whale (Audio CD)

I too heard this band on Mt Stage and went out and got this album.

The album is well produced sonically and the music is great.

I hear hints of Olabelle, Neil Young and other groups, the interplay between the male and female vocals and some of the music on some of the tracks is very reminiscent (for me) of the two really great solo albums that Paul Kantner and Grace Slick did together.