OHO: Bricolage

OHO

Bricolage

© 2008 OHO Music (700261236407)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

2 disc Prog/folk-rock DVD/CD digipak: "The most striking aspect of BRICOLAGE is the sheer abundance of hook-laden melody, more than can be found on most albums regardless of genre. It's almost unfair to pick highlights, there are so many." -Progression

notes

06/01/08: Progressive folk rock outfit OHO releases their first CD/DVD since 2003's critically acclaimed "UP" CD. "Bricolage" is a 2 disc set: one 20 song 78+ minute music CD (13 brand spanking new songs and 7 bonus tracks, 3 of which have never before been released) accompanied by a 55+ minute DVD (12 videos interspersed with interview footage, a photo gallery, and a "special features" link where one can find the CD lyrics & credits as well as the DVD song lyrics) and all this in an imaginative digi-package (graphics and DVD post production by Bennett Davis) sporting the colorful illustrations of Baltimore-based artist, Connell P. Byrne, a chalk pastel by former OHO vocalist, Grace Hearn, and the photography of Jon Considine.

The DVD anthology documents the performance years of 1988-1992 with video footage of the band's appearance opening for Cheap Trick at the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood, CA, their Star Search audition video, the band's 1990 WAMA performance, 3 scripted promotional videos (w/upgraded audio), an intimate acoustic performance for the 2nd English Lutheran Day Care pre-schoolers, and 3 live selections from the band's Sky Records CD release party at the 8x10 Club in Baltimore, MD. DVD tracks are as follows:

1. Breaking Away
2. Til Death Do Us Part
3. Scared Money (http://YouTube.com/OHOmusic)
4. Out of Thin Air
5. Danger & Play (http://YouTube.com/OHOmusic)
6. Change in the Wind
7. Under Covers
8. Burning Grey
9. Controlled Substance
10. Angels
11. Limousine
12. The Secret

"Enigmatic Baltimore band OHO is back with this ambitious housecleaning of previously unreleased material from 1989-2005. The CD comprises 20 reworked/embellished tracks in the 3 to 5 minute range--all very melodic and featuring 7 different female singers who never met (!), yet can be heard harmonizing with and accompanying one another via the miracle of recording technology.

"The songs are alternately charming and exuberant, emphasizing acoustic textures bolstered by keyboards, electric guitars, sax, flute, violin, harmonica, mandolin etc. The most striking aspect of BRICOLAGE is the sheer abundance of hook-laden melody, more than can be found on most albums regardless of genre. It's almost unfair to pick highlights (there are so many), but I defy anyone to get 'Angels' out of their head after one listen.

"The 12-track DVD shares only 3 songs with the CD and is a treat, including live and video tracks from 1988-'92 heavily featuring singers Grace Hearn and Mary O'Connor. There's an MTV clip, and the closing rendition of 'The Secret' performed for school kids is precious as can be.

"15 1/2 out of a possible 16 stars."
-John Collinge (Progression)

"Baltimore based OHO doesn't put out a lot of product, but when they do, they do it right. This is hip, jangly folk-pop with a proggy feel; the compositions are superb, succinct and highly melodic, consisting of song-length ideas worked into intriguing arrangements in a number of styles--energized, jubilant and brilliant in many different ways. The vocalists are commanding and powerful; the instrumental arrangements employed are colorful and supportive, featuring violin, sax, horn sections, acoustic, steel and electric guitars, keys, drums and percussion, mandolins, tin whistle, flute, backing harmonies and more. Folky at the core, their sound rocks, clearly borne of modern vintage, fresh and vital, and not retro in any way. The DVD contains 12 songs--videos and live performances of songs, all but 4 culled from previously released discs, though often with different arrangements. In all, BRICOLAGE is a superb entry point and comes highly recommended."
-Pete Thelen, editor (Expose #36)

"Bricolage presents a retrospective of work recorded by Baltimore progressive-rock group OHO from 1983 to 2008. It's quite an impressive run. Even though Jay Graboski and David Reeve are the only constants, they're equal members in an amalgam of guitars, percussion, keyboards, saxes, violins, and more, with songs topped off by a revolving cast of forceful female vocalists. There's a lot to appreciate here for fans of the dense, technical, and swirling progressive rock music of bands such as Kansas, Rush, and others that aren't afraid to tackle tough lyrical musings backed by challenging music. Throughout the years, the band's kept a consistent sound and vision, as evident in the 20-track CD and the 12-track DVD. Overall OHO's music stands up to that of the pros of prog rock." -Jeffrey Lindholm (Dirty Linen #141)

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Excellent value / considering valuable music!
    author: Del Field

    Bricolage has been finely crafted and painstakingly assembled into a seamless whole: Majestic, sweeping, soaring music accompanies eloquent, insightful lyrics. These are songs that should be transmitted across the airwaves--but radio programmers have either never heard of OHO (most likely), or may consider them too substantial to share bandwidth with banality (so it seems). Alongside the previously-unheard songs in this set, listening viewers are treated to the further-honed incarnations of a few past OHOsongs *and* a DVD of historic performances and interviews.

  • "Fully LIVE Life!"
    author: Chris Davis (Baltimore Songwriter)

    "Burning Grey" utilizes layers of vocals expressing a yearning soul's desire to fully live life. The unique style and feel grabs your attention right away.

  • Beautiful Technology
    author: Paul Rieger

    Great selection of songs! Jay's use of technology to bring Bricolage about is a story in and of itself - but sit back and let the music do the talking. Nice job!

  • "What GREAT music!"
    author: Frank Murphy

    I was driving down the JFX on Saturday with the window down and "Limousine" playing. What GREAT music!

  • "Effin' good!
    author: Bill Janssen

    OHO are 'effin' good and their sustaining vision remains vivid and vital."

  • "FANTASMIC!"
    author: Matt Graboski

    So...how do reviews such as these effect your psyche? Do they a) recall your awesymitry? Again, cheers to Jay and Reevus! Love, Your Son

  • "WOW!"
    author: Bennett Davis

    The band did mega-work on "Blue Fix." I love the chorus swells. They sound fantastic. I really like how that turned out and the rest of the songs are good too, though "Blue Fix" & "Burning Grey" are my favorites. Thanks for letting me hear the results and be part of the inner working."

  • "The mix is fantastic!"
    author: Frank Kaufman

    Regarding the new OHO CD, all I can say is that the band should be VERY PROUD of their work. I listened to the CD in my car for about 4 days straight. You can hear every instrument along with the vocals quite clearly. I especially like the acoustic guitars and the percussion. The syncopation between these instruments & the vocals is riveting; the music is hypnotic & sounds better with each listening. I would not alter anything on the CD. Keep up the great, inspirational work.

  • "OHO's new material is excellent!"
    author: David Kelly

    ...especially "Eros Is a Verb," a GREAT song. It sticks in my head & I really like Kelly Grochmal's vocals. To me she is one of the best & most listenable OHO singers since GH. She has a "sound," & seems really well-suited for OHO music. I like her a lot!"

  • "13 Thumbs up!!!"
    author: J. David Squirewell

    Reminds me of the 60s & 70s but VERY updated. Happy people would like this music. Excellent pace. Great vocals. Violin/fiddle whatever! Smokin'. Drummer is nonstop. Recording is extremely clean. I can understand the words so clearly (rare these days). "Limousine" song..Whoo Hoo! Even a little David Bowie sound in there. It is THE season..."Turn, Turn, Turn!" I want to share this with others. Thanks! That's my review! I'm going to listen to it on my way home.

email

Please log in to email this artist.