Empty Orchestra - One More Time, All Together Now...
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This band is from the oft-maligned city of Flint, Michigan and the rough Michigan winter is mentioned in "The Ballad of Bulls Run" but you would never guess Empty Orchestra's geographic location based on their musical orientation. The ringing pedal steel of "Broken Record," the twang of "A Wide Spot in the Road" and the harmonica-embellished, Gin Blossoms-like "Trust Me" all have a southwestern feel to them. There's a bit of a Gin Blossoms feel to "No Such Place," too, mostly because lead singer Stephen Wisniewski has a voice very similar to that of Gin Blossoms' singer Robin Wilson, himself a native of southern Michigan. The B-side of One More Time starts off with the rollicking guitar and organ-powered "You Should See the Other Guy," appropriately enough for it's title louder and punchier than anything on the A-side. Wisniewski picks banjo and blows blues harp on the album-closing "Empire State Building," adding a little Neil Young flavoring to the mix and topping off this very impressive set of rootsy pop/rock. Album packaging includes lyric sheet and a download code.LP, available on black or colored vinyl.
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