Some Wilderness

Album review

Oxford Collapse offer up a refreshing release with Some Wilderness, their first full-length record out on Kanine Records. This Brooklyn, NY, trio rock an exciting twist to the millennial interest in late-'70s/early-'80s new wave/post-punk. Some Wilderness has a stuttering, math-y groove throughout, mixing up time signatures and rhythms in the middle of tracks like "Land!" and "General Hospital" -- keeping you awake while throwing you off kilter, much like Pitchblende, Liars, or Wicked Farleys. Bass and drums, provided by Dan Fetherston and Yong Sing da Silva, play off each other wonderfully, giving each other room to breathe their own licks, while supporting each other to lock back into the groove they set up. The angular guitars of Michael Pace punctuate that fact, adding counter rhythm and melody. Sprinklings of organ every once in a while throughout Some Wilderness give the record an added rich texture. While Some Wilderness is angular and rhythmic, the pop seems to surface in small, subtle ways; a danceable and melodic feel that gives the record a bright lift. This pop touch seems to be the '90s indie guitar swing element that works well in the mix of Oxford Collapse's other styles they dig, keeping Some Wilderness fresh and very listenable. Of course, Oxford Collapse tip their hats to the influences of Gang of Four, Wire, Joy Division, and Sonic Youth, but the fact is that they make the music their own. Some Wilderness is an exciting release that works on many levels, leaving the listener eager for future releases from Oxford Collapse.
© Francis Arres /TiVo