Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

The Cyrenaics - Snake Oil Woman

7/29/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
The Cyrenaics ​

Snake Oil Woman
self-released; 2016

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Connor Wood (electric/acoustic guitar/vocals/percussion), Wesley Boyd (electric guitar/vocals), Jeff Harper (bass) and Aaron Apaul (drums/vocals/noise/tape loops) are the Cyrenaics. From more or less the band's inception they have been releasing music and a lot of it. Their latest is Snake Oil Woman which is too eclectic to fit into one genre. The band jumps all over the place from avant-garde experimental pieces to more traditional pieces. It’s hard to get a grip on a specific style they are going for but there are some gems along the way.

These songs sound like complete live recordings. I could be wrong but that's the general feel of the songs at the very least. Up first is “Spring Forward” which is one of the more straightforward songs on the album. The song doesn’t have much energy and feels like it is dragging its feet. In fact the singer at times sounds as if he is on a heavy dose of Ambien. It's an odd choice for an opener but was still enjoyable. The next song “For The Birds” picks up a little more energy which is provided by the drums. It’s a well-written song and has a classic ’50s pop feel. The vocal harmonies are the best part.

“Conversations With Your Dog I” is where things start to get a little psychedelic in a most peculiar way. The song has a good amount of energy and would have served as a better opener in my opinion. It sounds as if the singer ingested some helium before he sang but it works to their advantage. 

The band goes into a classic blue number with “Women & Chicken.” I wanted to hear the vocals more. They needed to be compressed and turned up in the mix. The seven-plus-minute song “River City Jam-Band” is indeed a jam. It sounds improvised. There are noodling guitar solos that never amount to a significant transition. The band goes off the wall experimental via the twilight zone with “SSD Hotline” while “Blue Eyed Rendezvous” sounds like another unorganized jam/noodle song.

​The Cyrenaics are churning out a lot of material but not much of it feels too refined. Some of their songs sounds like skeletons that with some more time and effort could be something substantial. The band has talent and I think their live shows would be cool to see. That being said a little more attention to detail on some of the songs may make a big difference.
Become A Fan
bandcamp
Tweet
1 Comment
Chris
7/31/2016 11:16:03 am

This is a band that needs to come together. This does not sound like a collaborative piece of entertainment. It sounds to me as if someone recorded their buddies messing around and then compiled them into an "album" without them even being aware of it. I have a hard time believing that four individuals sat down and agreed that they were happy with how this sounded and it was okay to release. Any honest musician would not be satisfied with these recordings. If I were a member of this band I would feel disrespected to have my name representing this "Album". I'm sure this seems harsh but I hear talent and this talent needs to be honest with themselves if they want to grow and reach more people. A common case of local band syndrome when bad bands support more bad bands and everyone refrains from being honest. Music is not something that should rushed and dishonest, and this compilation of "songs" sounds exactly that.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact