Review: The O’s “Between The Two”

 

The O’s
Between The Two
By Gerry Gomez, Staff Writer

It’s interesting that The O’s introduce themselves as “just a couple of guys that like making music for good people.” In fact, this Dallas based duo are making really good music that a whole lot of people should like. With their second release, Between The Two, The O’s come full force with a heavy delicacy, coupled with a tasteful hardness. They rock too much to be just a folk band and whisper too much to be a rocking country band. And therein lies their appeal. Songs that have range and urgency to leave one feeling like they’ve just given you their all and that they’ve given their all to the song – whatever thread of Americana that song borrows from.

A little something for everyone is offered up on Between The Two: Folk, Rock, Folk-rock, Bluegrass, Country, Country-rock, and something like ‘Indie-Country.’ These are two brave young men conquering new terrain with familiar sounds. Sounds kind of crazy, but in listening to them, it’s hard not to fall immediately in love with them. Especially when one realizes that they’re listening to two performers; The O’s pack a big punch in a small package.

The two voices belong to Taylor Young and John Pedigo.They are basically a guitar and banjo duo who sing and play a bass drum and  harmonica. On the album, they layer other textures, but largely their sound is centered around the basic acoustic instruments they have on hand and their respective vocals and they get maximum mileage out of each one. As far as their sound, it’s really unique and has the flavor of the Avett Brothers, The Broken Numbers Band, Ryan Adams and Rhett Miller souped up at times, laid back at others.

Pedigo takes the lead track vocal duty with the upbeat “We’ll Go Walkin’ ,” which is a rambling, country-ish jaunt set in motion by melodious harmonica and plodding banjo. By track two’s “Wreking Ball,” the listener is introduced to Young’s huskier vocals and the tone is set for the whole twelve songs. Lowebro compliments this track and it’s used for a real down-home effect. “In The Numbers We Survive,” sorta pushes the angles of who The O’s are and it takes them into the teetering “indie” realm of how heavy a banjo gets in their music. But, the sound is still really compelling and distinct. And each track is a pretty well crafted gem in it’s own right.

 

The O’s, “In Numbers We Survive” 

The O’s have been playing around the country with some stellar acts and will be in LA on the 12th at the Mint (Set time at 10pm) with the Baron Sisters (11pm), Danny Sandock (9pm), and Whitley Heights (8pm).

For more information on The O’s, visit: http://www.wearetheos.com