There’s no easy way to say this: Wes McDonald of Birmingham, AL is one odd duck. Performing under the name Terry Ohms since 2006, he has vacillated between fuzzy garage-rock and good-natured, Southern-tinged indie rock. Terryfirma (Jan. 19, 2018, Cornelius Chapel Records) is his latest release and arguably one of his best. While press notes indicate that McDonald considers Terryfirma his most fully realized Ohms record to date, it’s hard to think anything can top 2010’s What Do You Mean, What Do I Mean? .
That being written, Terryfirma has a bevy of deep cuts. Album opener “Mind Blow” has a vibe that marries Paul Weller with The Minus 5 and 1970s AOR. In true Ohms fashion there is a psych freakout in the song’s final two minutes and well, it’s downright invigorating. “Bring It All the Front” is scuzzy garage pop that sounds equal parts snotty, ticked off and utterly danceable. McDonald has always performed with swagger and attitude but nowhere is it more elucidated than in the left-of-center cut “Bring It All to the Front .” There’s a celestial and ambient interlude in the middle half of the song that helps make this seven-minute opus vibrant, colorful and wholly moving. In short, it’s one of our favorite songs of 2019.
Terryfirma’s most straightforward and digestible cut is “Peaks and Valleys” a jangly bright iteration of Dillon Fence and The Connells that is simple, a sterling effort from an artist who continues to chart his own unique course. A bluesy Stones vibe is channeled in “Doubtin’ It.” Once again, that same sass and swerve exemplified in “Bring It All To The Front” returns in “Doubtin’ It” which is punchy, memorable and packs the best hook on the album. Unfortunately the album drifts into filler mode for much of the album’s middle portion. “We Love You” has an 80s synth vibe but never moves beyond its vanilla and derivative composition. “Those Eyes” is arguably the apex of the album’s second half but even it borrows from a touch of boredom. Thankfully, there’s a solid guitar solo at the two-minute mark and an indelible start-stop ending. But that’s where the superlatives end. The album’s final triumvirate has very little to keep the listener engaged.
While Terryfirma falls short towards the end, there is indeed much to celebrate. McDonald performed every instrument on the album, produced and engineered it, created all the artwork and was in charge of the video content for all the videos of the album’s songs. While that sense of DIY is not uncommon it is indeed a testament to McDonald’s distinct musical vision. This is an artist that makes art on his terms, even if it makes little sense to us. The bizarre and sometimes head-scratching compositions that make up the back half of Terryfirma might just be the glue that cements his next album.
Here’s to hoping. For now, we’ll blast “Bring It All to the Front” and What Do You Mean, What Do I Mean? on repeat.
A sad day in the music world. Keyboard player and multi-instrumentalist Mike “Beard Guy” Taylor of the award-winning Canadian band Walk Off The Earth has passed away from natural causes on Sunday, December 30th. Read more…
We profusely apologize for the lack of content over the past two months. We have been up to our eyeballs in health woes, family woes and a new job. Hoping to post more frequently in 2019. For the first time in a few years, we are a bit late to posting our favorite albums and movies of 2018. But since it’s that time of year, here we go.
Our favorite song of the year is “Havana” by Camila Cabelo. Our album of the year is Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour and our favorite movie of 2018 is First Reformed. Our favorite TV show is Atypical on Netflix. Here’s a recap of 2018’s best from the Washington Post. We agree with their movie list, we have quite a few disagreements on their music, but so be it.
Happy New Year to all those who stopped by to visit this blog. Looking forward to more great music in the coming year.
Okay, we didn’t listen to everything this year, and there are probably 50 albums we forgot, but without further ado, here are our favorite albums of 2018.
1. Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
2. Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino
3. Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel
4. Beach House – 7
5. Brandi Carlile – By The Way, I Forgive You
6. MGMT – Little Dark Age
7. Wye Oak – The Louder I Call, the Faster it Runs
8. Snail Mail – Lush
9. Foxing – Nearer My God
10. Phosphorescent – C’Est La Vie Read more…
We’re always sucker for a good pop song and thankfully we’ve found one today. “Broken Wings” is a polished, radio-ready smash from newcomer Izzy Escobar. Read more…
It’s not often The Beatles release a video to the blogosphere, so when it happens, it’s worth not only posting, but celebrating. In advance of the deluxe version of the 50th anniversary of the ubiquitous The White Album, later this year, the Liverpool legends have released a fantastic new video for “Glass Onion.” Read more…
Anyone who has read this blog for a few years now should know how fondly we think of Boston singer-songwriter Mark Erelli. The man has a voice unlike few others and is arguably one of the most accomplished musicians in the country. Don’t believe us? Ask Josh Ritter. Read more…
With Halloween on the horizon, perhaps it’s safe to say holiday season is here. Or is it? Either way the collective known as The Temple Rockers very much believe October is the time to get started. This eccentric and off-the wall outfit have crafted a Chanukah album in the vein of reggae. If this piques your interest, read on. If it doesn’t read on anyways. After all, being bold deserves recognition. And this zany outfit is most definitely bold. Read more…
Being that today is Sunday why not shed light on a new worship song that has piqued our interest. Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne has released her first song in five years and the power ballad “Head Above Water” is very much a worship song. Bolstered by strong piano fills, her robust voice, a giant chorus and top-notch production, it is an interesting wrinkle in a career that has had its fair share of ups and downs. Perhaps we’re just suckers for her voice, but consider us as one that’s rooting for her to succeed.
