Self-released
This progressive rock trio from Cincinnati, OH
features Karis Tucker (voice), André Machado (8-string guitar, bass), and Henry
Conde (synth, piano). Guest musicians include Julio Oliveira on drums, Ander
Peterson on saxophone, Soojin Kim on piano, and with lyrics by Diogo Oliveria.
With 2016 being the official start to the band, this new EP continues on and
expands from the first single “Reality.”
Oculus is meant to be listened to in one sitting to absorb
its power and meaning with the main theme being about reconciling the
individual’s outer persona with their inner self running through the four songs
on the EP. Opener “You” starts acapella
and then the piano comes in to make a song that reminds me of a Depeche Mode
quiet piece. “Gold Spectrum” is an avant garde jazz piece with wailing and
squawking sax and discordant sounds that bring to mind the Contortions. “The
Fear Peddler” has a more strait forward sound than the previous song and adds
some interesting spaciness in the sound, kind of like drifting in the sky high
above the earth. Finishing with “Identidade,” a quiet, yet powerful song that
has sweet vocals and a haunting piano that grabs your ears and pulls you into
the depth of the song.
A very interesting EP that will have you putting on your
headphones to listen to so that you don’t miss one bit of sound that they have
produced here. From beauty to quirky and back to beauty all in under fifteen
minutes, and fifteen minutes that you will no doubt be listening to again and
again.
-Rick Ecker
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