Norman Baker is a tough guy to pin down. He’s got his solo thing (as heard on Ball of Wax 19), which is all finger-picked acoustic and hushed vocals, and quite nice. He’s got Particle Gods (as heard on Volume 22), which is kind of hip-hoppy instrumental stuff. And apparently he’s also in a reggae band. Anyway, I’m always glad to hear what he’s been up to, so as soon as he e-mailed me a couple tracks from his rock band, Man Rockwell, I listened to them. I think I had heard of this band before, and I have to admit that the name probably turned me off or at least led me to believe I knew what they had to offer and I wasn’t interested. Knowing Norman was involved was enough to pique my interest, and I’m glad it was piqued. At least on the two songs Norman sent me (one of which will be on Ball of Wax 23), the sounds are much subtler and more sophisticated than I might have expected from such a goofily-named outfit. The band has a keen sense of dynamics and a sonic palette not too far off from a lot of the minimalist indie rock I loved in the ’90s. “Faux Hawk” will appear on Volume 23, but here’s the other song Norman sent me, the mysteriously-titled “OEHG and OJ”:
Both of these songs – along with several others – will appear on the band’s album Opposite Day, set to be released on April Fool’s Day of this year.
Be sure to catch Man Rockwell at the Ball of Wax 23 release show, tomorrow night at the Sunset.
im the lead singer of one of the Reggae band that Norman is leader of Dub Lounge International he is one of the best kept secrets in Seattle Nuff said
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