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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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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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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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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