ARTIST: State of Ohio
TITLE: State of Ohio
LABEL: Self-Released
GENRE: Rock
BITRATE: 171kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 39m total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-00-00
RIP DATE: 2007-02-28
Track List
----------
1. Indistinct Chatter 3:44
2. No Smiling Bastards 3:48
3. Roadside Attraction 2:21
4. Safety 2:28
5. You Wanted Yes 2:29
6. Tulpa 3:24
7. Freyed Knot 3:07
8. Battle Song 2:49
9. Station 4:14
10. The Man Who Said Yummers 2:38
11. Slow Runner 3:35
12. Wasted In A Vase 5:03
Release Notes:
The grand old state of Ohio may not have a Sufjan album out yet, but it does
have a good Modest Mouse song back there somewhere, and now it has a band named
after it. That seems a fair tribute, for as far as I know there isnÆt a band
called State of Florida, and I consider my home state to be a pretty good one.
IÆve never been to Ohio, but my father was raised there for a few years, and
itÆs certainly produced its share of U.S. Presidents and other celebrated
individuals. The Economist declares: ôThis slice of the mid-west contains a bit
of everything Americanùpart north-eastern and part southern, part urban and part
rural, part hardscrabble poverty and part booming suburb.ö If this is true, then
the band seems to have picked up on an appropriately polychromatic style for its
moniker: fast, motley alt-punk that recalls the Pixies and treads the paths of
bands like At the Drive-In and Despistado with diligence.
This was a very pleasant surprise, because the self-titled CD that was sent to
me does not have much going for it in the artistic department. Clearly
self-released, with a bizarre color scheme and strange liner notes such as
ôRecorded over one extremely hot and one modeate (sic) weekend,ö I was prepared
for the worst. But, as if to verify that old saying about book coversùand
demonstrate that rock bands still donÆt have to give a shitùState of Ohio have
patched together an astonishingly captivating record, equal parts craft and
brute force.
Indeed, there have been very few bands to succeed with these elements since At
the Drive-In went on hiatus; Bear Vs. Shark, those other Midwest natives, also
come to mind. There are so many styles and sounds colliding here, waiting to be
sewn hastily together in the head-over-heels mania, that, like the quasi-emo
stylings of the forebears above, the musicÆs overall effect is difficult to pin
down. The singerÆs catarrhal howl, like Dave ChappelleÆs Samuel L. Jackson,
never comes down from its agitated state while guitars and drums pulse along,
drawing continuously on the tenants of nineties alternative and appending the
precision of post-millenial rock. It all smacks so heavily of El Gran Orgo-era
ATDI that fans of that hallowed band might well wonder whose voice has replaced
Cedric BixlerÆs. At a time when many might question the artistic direction of
Bixler, Rodriguez-Lopez, and co., itÆs a welcome reminder of the past.
Unfortunately, so little information is available about this group of guys that
itÆs impossible to refer to any specifics like lyrics, names, or duration of
existence. Their meager website hasnÆt been updated for three months, so thereÆs
no way to know if theyÆre even around anymore. Hopefully not, but if thatÆs the
case, then the band may rest assured that theyÆve recorded a worthy testament to
their capacity as rock musicians. Frankly, I can see an album of this sort
following the CapÆn Jazz trajectory long after live shows have ceased; thatÆs
little consolation for a band forced to print the liner notes themselves and
record an album in two measly days, but itÆs the creative process that counts,
after all. And, pastiche or not, State of Ohio is an impressive accomplishment.
HereÆs an album that approaches a subject of absurd scaleùan homage to the
entire state of Ohioùand manages to sidestep preposterousness. Sufjan has gotten
away with the same through sheer meticulousness and talent, but it is
surprising, to say the least, to see a band escape farce simply by not appearing
at all concerned with appearance. Of course, it is unlikely that this group has
the same ambitions as Mr. Stevens. TheyÆre probably content to lounge around
after practice, grab some beers, and, when pressed to come up with a band name,
ask ôWhy the Hell shouldnÆt we call ourselves Ohio?ö