Album Review: Haunting Oboe Music's h

Austin's Haunting Oboe Music have been playing together for about two years, and until recently, they had only had one EP to show for it. For 2008, they've made a resolution to put an end to that kind of thing: the band is going to release an EP each month this year.

January's offering, h, proves that the band is undoubtedly interested in more than prolific output studio-wise. The songs on h are more challenging, and the production more impressive than their previous release.

The songs employ influences one might expect from a largely instrumental band with two drummers, as hints of Explosions in the Sky, Red Sparrowes and Six Organs of Admittance rise amidst the unapologetically melodramatic opener, "Behold, a Gremlin." These influences continue to make waves throughout the record, but another undeniable influence that becomes harder to ignore as the songs unfold is ole Thom Yorke. The result is complementary: it's refreshing to hear an onslaught of swirling instruments in "Behold" settle to take solace in the more tempered arrangements and layered vocals of "Mano the Soldier Boy." Haunting Oboe Music seem to shine most brightly when focusing on the restraint of a tight-fitting tune that challenges the group (and two drummers, don't forget) to hold back a little. "The Only Answer" is practically an ode to Kid A, but again, it is moments like this that show the band's promise most clearly. Previous works (but more so the live performances) showed hints of this direction, as the group straddled the line between complex and raucous prog-influenced tunes and more subtle, reflective moments. It will definitely be interesting to see where these tendencies take the group, especially if an affection for studious production and more experimental compositions stay strong. Harsher work, such as the EP's closing track "Slavery in Space" seem a little hurried compared to the obvious effort put into the middle of the record. Same goes for the overall quality of the mix -- a band with two drummer and an obviously talented bass player can really stand to gain from a mix that favors the tightness of the low end. Despite doing their own mixing, they usually hit this nail on the head, but here's to hoping the band continues to pay close attention to helping the rhythm section sound clean and balanced, not lost in the fray of cacophony.

See them perform on Saturday with Gold Teeth and Gucci at the Parlor and grab the EP. By the end of the year these guys will have worked so hard on their sound we expect nothing short of a masterpiece.