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URO: OR
ByOne can't help wondering why they chose a band name and title practically designed to be invisible in the digital world, but that's the basic outlook URO displays in the music as well. Even with a triple-guitar frontline, this is a long way from anything resembling an axe-fest. With a judicious division of rhythm lines and melody parts, the string-pickers leave themselves plenty of open air even while locking together like jigsaw pieces. Any electric distortion is lightly-toned enough to complement the loping folk grooves, while some recurring dobro gives a gutsy shot of down-home twang.
From easy sweeping strains to jaunty low-country hooks and back, it's a lush ride through landscapes idyllic and green. The backing guests (on saxophone and understated wordless vocals) keep the same degree of restraint in the couple spots they appear. The players would all rather work as an understated whole rather than featuring flashy solos or fireworks, and URO's lovely pastoral vibe is much stronger for it. It makes for a listen that requires patient attention and rewards it beautifully.
Track Listing
Vent; Fri; September; Mening; Tog; April; Avgjørelsen; Ettertanke; Stige; Gudbaj.
Personnel
URO
guitarKristofer Spangen: dobro, guitar; Anders Brønstad: guitar; Marius Igland: guitar; Torbjørn Tveit: bass; Kristoffer Tokle: drums, percussion; Kristin Dahl: vocals (7, 10); Joakim Bergsrønning: saxophone, flute (6, 10).
Album information
Title: OR | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Losen Records
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