[rating=3.00]
Hmmm, the cello, it’s such an under-rated instrument in rock circles these days. But for Other Lives, a quaint quintet from Stillwater, OK, the cello’s sorrowful sound makes the band “complete.” Elements of Radiohead, classical music fused with a bit of Sigur Ros, Andrew Bird and Coldplay give Other Lives an orchestral rich sound that is becoming quite common today. With quaint instruments as electric harpsichord, piano, organ, harmonium and lap steel aboard, it’s no surprise that these musicians were once an avant-garde instrumental group, then added vocals and eventually evolve into Other Lives.
Jesse Tabish (lead vocals, piano, guitar, harmonium, organ, vibes, electric harpsichord), lends himself calm and intimate throughout the entire recoding, never once raising his voice an octave. Yeah “Black Tables” is straight off the Chris Martin playbook with its Viva La Vida B-side appeal and the entire album is “sad” and holds an unsettling gloating vibe that makes perfect “make out music” for the dark side. Aside from the traditional Spanish music nod in "Matador" there isn’t much that signifies great leaps and bounds here, other than Other Lives permeating a rich cinematic sound that is best played from beginning to end.
