Speaking of quirk-rock\u2026<\/p>\n
All right, let’s face it. The standard disclaimer for life is
\nthat nothing ever recorded by the Big Record Companies is as good
\nas the weird stuff recorded in someone’s basement. Sad part is,
\nmost of the time, it’s true. There’s a certain vitality that the
\nBigs leach from most artists, a raw and exciting edge that often
\ngets lost. And sometimes, just sometimes, if you take the time to
\ndig amongst the uncut gems of independent releases, you might find
\nsomething fun.<\/p>\n
Such is NY-based fen-rock band Ookla The Mok’s 1997 debut CD,
\nLess Than Art<\/i>. In addition to having the single greatest
\ncover of all time (from whence, obviously, comes the title of the
\nCD) OTM is a purveyor of fun, science fiction tinged rock and roll,
\nfull of injokes, puns, and some pretty tasty guitar licks to boot.
\nIn short, this is what Barenaked Ladies’
\nMaroon<\/i> CD wanted to be.<\/p>\n
There are two types of songs on
\nLess Than Art<\/i>; there’s the funny ones, and
\nthe\u2026well\u2026not so funny ones. From the funny side, we
\nget “Number One”, a juvenile yet hilarious look at what exactly was
\nmissing from the plans of the USS Enterprise, and “Arthur Curry”,
\nthe lament of the world’s most unappreciated superhero.<\/p>\n
Then there’s the other songs, proving humour isn’t the primary
\ningredient in this musical goulash. Instead, OTM provides us with
\nsome of the most thoughtful, thought-provoking, and honest lyrics
\nI’ve ever heard. Songs like “AGeD”, “Still Can’t Buy Me Love”, and
\n“Home” are poignant documentations of growing older and still
\nplaying music, while “View Master” goes straight for the subject of
\nchildhood toys and how much we regret losing them as we get older.
\n“Murder She Wrote” is a seemingly shallow song that actually has a
\nbitter and biting commentary hidden in it on love and priorities.
\nAnd “Fly”, closing the CD, is a transcendent, bright, aggressive
\nend to a brilliant piece of work.<\/p>\n