OTHER DESERT CITIES
SELF-TITLED ALBUM
VELVET BLUE MUSIC
The LBC doesn't seem to be the ideal environment for melancholic alt.-country, so it must be by the grace of God that the beauty of Other Desert Cities(both the recording and the quintet) originates from Big Brown Sky Country instead of some West Texas ranch—because this definitely not-Snoop-or-Lupillo genre is the perfect platform for a 10-track album about the mercurial nature of the heart. Beginning with a beautiful acoustic ballad (“I Will Lay Down”) that could have easily been strummed out by a Harlan County coal miner circa 1902, the music of Other Desert Citieshas a resigned quality that meshes well with lead guitarist/singer C. Charles Bowden's slightly whiny voice. But whiny is good in the country universe, and his heartbroken chords are paeans to all the hallmarks of the unpaved world: the open road (“100 Percent Belief”), the search for love on the frontier (“My Lady”), even a splash of murder (“Renegade”). Musically, the album builds upon a foundation of sometimes-electric, sometimes-not guitars counterpointed by unpretentious organ/piano rhythms, mournful harmonicas and doo-wop-tight harmonies that embellish the bittersweet qualities of the various stories. But a particular instrumental high point is Koubiac's bass playing, which gently guides each song to an emotional conclusion. Other Desert Cities will comfort those grappling with love, whether it's trying to get over the bitch/bastard or rejoicing in knowing that you've discovered the one who really is The One.
Contact: ot***************@ya***.com“>ot***************@ya***.com; www.velvetbluemusic.com.
OC and Long Beach bands and musicians! Mail your CDs and tapes (along with your vital contact info, plus any impending performance dates) for possible review to: Locals Only,OC Weekly, P.O. Box 10788, Costa Mesa, CA 92627-0247.
