Search - Oxbon :: Serenade in Red

Beyond pain

Dirk Hugo | Cape Town, South Africa | 11/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you believe that rock music should be the ultimate vehicle for showcasing the extremities of the human psyche, then this album will not disappoint. It has moments of brutal and incendiary power that leave most contenders from the "metal" genres standing in their tracks, and offsets these with episodes of stark and minimal beauty that document the substance of true human hell: estrangement, sorrow and regret. Vocal techniques are reduced to primal growls and yelps, backed by surging slide guitar, double bass patterns that recall the best of intoxicated jazz and razor-sharp drumbeats. Very few albums achieve the simultaneous ferociousness and eloquence of this outing - a true classic!"

So Much To Say

L. Myers | Decatur, GA United States | 10/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My previous review didn't acknowledge this album in itself. That's because at the time I didn't own it but other Oxbow CDs. Now I do. The last track, a cover/molestation of Willie Dixon's blues standard "Insane Asylum", alone makes my spine tingle. The presence of Marianne Faithful makes me wonder how she reacted to the beast-child that is Eugene Robinson. The greatest thing about all of Oxbow's music is that it excites the imagination. In my mind's eye I see Ms. Faithful posed behind the micstand dedicated to her performance while a few feet away Robinson is choking the micstand and spitting and slobbering all over the its head. This album better than their older work also showcases the strength/talent of the band as a whole. Songs 1 and 2 belong to them as Eugene comes in every once in a while to blow chunks into the stew. God I love these bastards!"

No Pity

L. Myers | Decatur, GA United States | 09/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When people review bands like Oxbow who have 0 commercial appeal they often use phrases like "Not for the faint of heart" or "If you like ___ look elsewhere". I recommend that everyone experience Oxbow at least once in their life. It only takes one time to know whether you like them or not. There is no grey area when it comes to Oxbow; either you can handle it or you can't. And that's the way the band likes it. They scorch a line in the earth and dare you to cross it. Listening to Oxbow changes what you expect to get from music. Their music isn't for pure entertainment and its not something you listen to for a good laugh. Their music is direct and pushes all the ugliness of the human condition into your face; and they revel in it. No band is as merciless as Oxbow. (Read their newsletter at www.theoxbow.com for verification.) They continue the spirit of late 70s No Wave like no other band, creating music that you either love or hate. That's all there is to it. My first Oxbow album was "Balls in the Great Meat Grinder Collection". The third song on it is a duet/meeting of souls between lead singer (if you want to call him that) Eugene Robinson and Lydia Lunch. For five to eight minutes (I can't recall off-hand) they shred each other's dignity, portraying a couple who are poison to each other but refuse to let go. Quote: Eugene: "Baby, Baby" Lydia: "Call my name, call my name like its a reason to live." Take the opportunity to experience Oxbow; its better to know for certain than to question yourself in the back of your mind."