Biting Lemons Before Sunrise,
Oxygen ThiefOxygen Thief is one guy - Barry Dolan, his voice and his acoustic guitar. It’s the raw sound of a man who is being simple yet effective and doing a very good job of it, whilst at the same time still maintaining a high level of entertainment. Some people can ruin the art of acoustic performance by drowning it in boredom and lack of originality, the fact that Dolan likes to rock out and be loud means this was never going to be the case.
Apparently this project started whilst his band “Nuclear Fish” were on hold. I’ve never heard of, or anything by “Nuclear Fish” but I think it’s fair to say that Oxygen Thief is not something to be discarded when they do get going again. Dolan’s music is pleasant enough to listen to on any occasion, and his voice is full of passion and energy displaying his love for emo and balls out rock. His 4 track demo is packed full of loud, but melodic classics. “Marmite is my Kryptonite” opens proceedings and is probably the best song on offer here. Coupled with “Perseverance in Exhalation” these two are the songs I’ve had on repeat for quite some time. There’s some interesting strumming patterns used and chord changes that stand above what a high percentage of bands pull off for acoustic songs.
I think one of the issues at hand here is that when most people think of acoustic songs, they think of their favourite bands version of a heavy song. This is usually interesting, to hear the song in a new format, but if you actually listened to it without hearing the original, in most cases, you will probably find it to be rubbish or dull. However, the obstacle Barry Dolan has had to avoid is writing simple music, and construct interesting songs using only one instrument, as their never will be a “better version” done by a full band. With this E.P he has done that, and no doubt he will continue to do this, regardless of whether or not “Nuclear Fish” ever return to the stage.
Pete
www.oxygenthief.co.nr
