Oh No! Oh My! // People Problems // Moelleux Records // 02/03/11
‘People Problems’ is the first full album in five years for US indie rock outfit, Oh No Oh My. It represents an interesting and welcome change in direction from ONOM. After the upbeat sound of their first album, Oh No! Oh My! and their subsequent two EP’s, the band have gone for a darker, edgier sound for their second effort. Most of this is still routed in folk/indie rock. The opening song, ‘Walking Into Me’, is simple and harmonious piece, which incorporates rock, folk and electronic music.
It is in the content of their songwriting that ONOM have changed considerably. It’s moved from sounding like an early Noah and the Whale to a more-rockier version of Fleet Foxes. Some of their songs, such as the melancholic ‘Should Not Have Come To This’ and ‘So I Took You’, which is actually about a “knife-wielding pervert”, show a more ‘adult’ style of songwriting. ‘Walk In The Park’ this ain’t!
Some of the songs are also a bit more complex than their earlier work. For example, ‘Brains’ starts off with a simple acoustic arrangement, followed with a classical background kicking in, then the final third of the song goes into a heavy rock sound.
The lead guitar work is fantastic, with effects ranging from the drawling sound on ‘Again Again’ to the U2-inspired delays on ‘Summerdays’. All the members of the band are multi-instrumentalists, and the original use of the electric piano on ‘No Time For Talk’ makes it one of the best songs on the album.
This album is a treat to listen to. ONOM have created a solid album that incorporates the light and dark aspects of pop music perfectly.
9/10
Oh No Oh My are currently touring the UK and Ireland. From the impressions of this album, they should be superb live. Here are the following tour dates;
07/03 London Brixton Windmill
08/03 Leeds Oporto
09/03 Glasgow Nice n Sleazy
10/03 Galway Rosins Dubh
11/03 Dublin Workman’s Club
12/03 Belfast Auntie Annie’s
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