06/01/08: Progressive folk rock outfit OHO releases their first CD/DVD since 2003's critically acclaimed "UP" CD. "Bricolage" is a 2 disc set: one 20 song 78+ minute music CD (13 brand spanking new songs and 7 bonus tracks, 3 of which have never before been released) accompanied by a 55+ minute DVD (12 videos interspersed with interview footage, a photo gallery, and a "special features" link where one can find the CD lyrics & credits as well as the DVD song lyrics) and all this in an imaginative digi-package (graphics and DVD post production by Bennett Davis) sporting the colorful illustrations of Baltimore-based artist, Connell P. Byrne, a chalk pastel by former OHO vocalist, Grace Hearn, and the photography of Jon Considine.
The DVD anthology documents the performance years of 1988-1992 with video footage of the band's appearance opening for Cheap Trick at the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood, CA, their Star Search audition video, the band's 1990 WAMA performance, 3 scripted promotional videos (w/upgraded audio), an intimate acoustic performance for the 2nd English Lutheran Day Care pre-schoolers, and 3 live selections from the band's Sky Records CD release party at the 8x10 Club in Baltimore, MD. DVD tracks are as follows:
1. Breaking Away
2. Til Death Do Us Part
3. Scared Money (http://YouTube.com/OHOmusic)
4. Out of Thin Air
5. Danger & Play (http://YouTube.com/OHOmusic)
6. Change in the Wind
7. Under Covers
8. Burning Grey
9. Controlled Substance
10. Angels
11. Limousine
12. The Secret
"Enigmatic Baltimore band OHO is back with this ambitious housecleaning of previously unreleased material from 1989-2005. The CD comprises 20 reworked/embellished tracks in the 3 to 5 minute range--all very melodic and featuring 7 different female singers who never met (!), yet can be heard harmonizing with and accompanying one another via the miracle of recording technology.
"The songs are alternately charming and exuberant, emphasizing acoustic textures bolstered by keyboards, electric guitars, sax, flute, violin, harmonica, mandolin etc. The most striking aspect of BRICOLAGE is the sheer abundance of hook-laden melody, more than can be found on most albums regardless of genre. It's almost unfair to pick highlights (there are so many), but I defy anyone to get 'Angels' out of their head after one listen.
"The 12-track DVD shares only 3 songs with the CD and is a treat, including live and video tracks from 1988-'92 heavily featuring singers Grace Hearn and Mary O'Connor. There's an MTV clip, and the closing rendition of 'The Secret' performed for school kids is precious as can be.
"15 1/2 out of a possible 16 stars."
-John Collinge (Progression)
"Baltimore based OHO doesn't put out a lot of product, but when they do, they do it right. This is hip, jangly folk-pop with a proggy feel; the compositions are superb, succinct and highly melodic, consisting of song-length ideas worked into intriguing arrangements in a number of styles--energized, jubilant and brilliant in many different ways. The vocalists are commanding and powerful; the instrumental arrangements employed are colorful and supportive, featuring violin, sax, horn sections, acoustic, steel and electric guitars, keys, drums and percussion, mandolins, tin whistle, flute, backing harmonies and more. Folky at the core, their sound rocks, clearly borne of modern vintage, fresh and vital, and not retro in any way. The DVD contains 12 songs--videos and live performances of songs, all but 4 culled from previously released discs, though often with different arrangements. In all, BRICOLAGE is a superb entry point and comes highly recommended."
-Pete Thelen, editor (Expose #36)
"Bricolage presents a retrospective of work recorded by Baltimore progressive-rock group OHO from 1983 to 2008. It's quite an impressive run. Even though Jay Graboski and David Reeve are the only constants, they're equal members in an amalgam of guitars, percussion, keyboards, saxes, violins, and more, with songs topped off by a revolving cast of forceful female vocalists. There's a lot to appreciate here for fans of the dense, technical, and swirling progressive rock music of bands such as Kansas, Rush, and others that aren't afraid to tackle tough lyrical musings backed by challenging music. Throughout the years, the band's kept a consistent sound and vision, as evident in the 20-track CD and the 12-track DVD. Overall OHO's music stands up to that of the pros of prog rock." -Jeffrey Lindholm (Dirty Linen #141)
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