The Oxygen Ponies
© Copyright-The Oxpo Recording Company
(061297335572)
Record Label: The Oxpo Recording Company
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Paul Megna, the singer/songwriter and man behind the Oxygen Ponies’ moniker, has a bio that reads as "an almost comically over-the-top catalog of misery." (Salon.com) He's been homeless (twice), claimed bankruptcy, been shot in the neck by a sniper, learned his first guitar chords from Jeff Buckley, starred as Kurt Cobain in an off-broadway play, thwarted an ex-girlfriends' suicide attempt, moved to Sag Harbor and worked as a pig nanny, returned to NYC and starred in two independent features (which never saw the light of day), buried two of his closest friends, written a handful of plays, had a screenplay optioned, been rejected from Yale (acting) and Julliard (playwriting) twice each and cancelled his wedding because he refused to commit to having a child. The songs on his self-titled debut are “a passionate study on heartbreak and struggle set to beautiful melodies.” (Raindog Rants) They reflect upon a life well-lived, but “instead of a state of depression, a feeling of hope is left. [With] beautifully, well-crafted songs…this album could indeed become a modern classic if given half a chance." (Americana UK) Named as one of the best albums of 2006 by three bloggers on two continents, The Oxygen Ponies has “taken that Internet super-stardom and turned it into a singer/songwriter’s dream. Folksy pop that belies great lyricism and witty lo-fi song arrangements, make this album one you definitely don’t want to miss out on." (Smother.net)
OXYGEN PONIES ON BEST ALBUMS OF 2006 LISTS
Raindogs Rants, Hits in the Car, Ben Krieger
"Sounds great. Will not disappoint fans of Leonard Cohen Elliot Smith and Bob Dylan." Tape Op
"Minor chord folk/pop for the end credits, delivered in a raspy voice that sounds broken beyond repair." Magnet
"Gorgeous, hazily atmospheric and intelligently written." Salon.com
"Beautifully arranged, this album could become a modern classic if given half a chance." Americana UK 8 out of 10 stars
"When I think of fall/winter music, I think depressing and dark like Elliott Smith, Sun Kil Moon, or Jeff Buckley. Now it seems I also seem to think of The Oxygen Ponies." Quarter Life Party
"Easily the best hard crash record of 2006" Deli Magazine
"Great lyricism and witty lo-fi song arrangements, make this album one you definitely don't want to miss out on." Smother.Net
"Insightful lyrics ripe with emotion" The Late Greats
"Limned with sadness, although not overcome by it, and most definitely not wallowing in it." Six Eyes
"A historical gem, a haunting reminder of legendary musicians gone by." Fat Amp Music
"Megna's voice resonates like only Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or John Cale can do." Mars Needs Guitars
"Aching with hangover blues and incurable loneliness" One Louder
“A passionate struggle on heartbreak and struggle set to beautiful melodies” Raindogs Rants
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Minor-Chord Folk/Pop for the end credits
author: Magnet Magazine - First Exposure.. no. 74 Jan/Feb 2007
Paul Megna's debut has quite a back-story to live up to: He was taught guitar by Jeff Buckley and played Kurt Cobain in an off-broadway show. As leader of Boston's [Brooklyn's actually] Oxygen Ponies, Megna makes minor-chord folk/pop for the end credits, a dozen songs delivered in a raspy voice that sounds broken beyond repair.
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Enchanting Complexity
author: FAT AMP MUSIC
On reviewing this record there were a number of avenues we could have taken. We could have referred to this debut album as a historical gem, a haunting reminder of legendary musicians gone by. We could have likened the commanding nature of tracks to those on classic, somewhat undiscovered albums such as Jeff Buckley's 'Sketches (For My Sweeetheart the Drunk)'. We could have also pushed the boat and discussed how suggesting Brooklyn's Paul Megna (the voice and soul behind the Oxygen Ponies) could some day be viewed as a modern day Bob Dylan. None of that would be untrue and in fact would provide a hearty insight, a reflection on one of many possible, somewhat explosive reactions on hearing the Oxygen Ponies for the first time. But we think this records enchanting complexity deserves more than that. More than just a label, more than just a passive subjective 'summing up'.
The Oxygen Ponies will invite you into a tale, spanning a period of Paul Megna's life that saw sorrow clash with realisation; and walking backwards clashing with running ahead. What started out as a 'break-up' record in the recording process, seemingly became more a record about self-realisation. Melodies haven't been created by chance. Lyrics aren't cliched. Nothing in The Oxygen Ponies sound is by chance. Lyrics are honest, reflective and poetic enough to be bound and published. Melodies are gentle, encapsulating a mood - a notion.
At the core of each track is Megna and his guitar but skillfully woven between Megna's whispering vocal tone, and melancholy lyrics lay a wealth of uplifting, powerful and driven sounds. 'Brooklyn Bridge sees the inclusion of horn and lap steel guitar giving this simple track a subtle depth. Clarinet, horns and baritone guitar in 'Umbrellas in the Rain' have a similar effect. Where the lyrics are deep and reflective the contrasting music fights against the mood to create a compelling sound.
The album closes on two uplifting mid-tempo tracks 'Starshine' and 'The Quickest Way to Happiness' fit with harmonies and ripping guitar melodies thus ending the album with a much thicker, fuller sound than it began. As the guitars fade out, and echoing happiness filled chucke can be heard in the distance. The quickest way to happinesss seemingly being to take the journey of reflection and self-realisation; taking responsibility for your actions.
The Oxygen Ponies will bring something new with every listen as the listener unravels the tight threads that proficiently hold the tracks together. The stories, the secrets, bringing individual meaning to the listener.
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Awesome - sad songs - true life adventures -
author: Bonnie Scott
i was surprised!!! i liked some songs better than others, keep it up young man and your band. never give up ok.
looking forward to your next one. just one not so sad song next time pppllleeeaaassseee!
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One of the best debuts of the year
author: CATCHING SIGNALS
The self-titled debut from The Oxygen Ponies is an melancholy record that rings with intimacy and familiarity–not only because singer/songwriter Paul Megna’s compositions bear resemblance to classic artists such as Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, but also because the songs are so deeply personal. There’s something incredibly stirring about the combination of Paul Megna’s eerily rough voice combined with his poignant lyrics.
While The Oxygen Ponies’ songs are often simplistic in nature and meaning, they express enough to make you fall into a gloomy cloud of comtemplation. Beautiful songs like “Devotion” and “Truest Thing” make me reminice about past relationships and why they failed; Megna’s songs can bring back those memories in instants. There are quite a few quotable lyrics on the new record. From “Brooklyn Bridge”: 'Cause I have known a lot of girls / In that swimming pool called romance / Where simple oysters crush the pearls / With a steel toe’s swift advance.'
My only real issue with this CD is that in a few songs, the music should have complimented the writing better. Some songs are the record are practically just Mr. Megna on his acoustic guitar (like “It’s Yr Life”). While it still gets the job done well and allows the songs to be very tender and expressive, I like the side of their music with a jazzier swagger–the songs that manage to have horns, organ, and rough, distorted guitar parts (see: Dinosaur Jr.?) all in one. As about half of the songs on the record are more acoustic-sounding, I hope that this side is a direction the band is going to start leaning towards or experimenting with. Either way, The Oxygen Ponies are a great band with a great amount of potential; I think we’ll expect great things from them in the future.
Overall, it’s a pretty solid album–I’d almost venture to say that it’s going to be one of the best full-length debuts this year.
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