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"Light Poles and Pines" - Or, the Whale's first full-length album, click on button below to add to Shopping Cart!
"Or, the Whale" - LIMITED 7" Record (on BLUE Vinyl!) Click on button below to add to Shopping Cart!
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~WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT OR, THE WHALE~
"A reference to Moby Dick and a testament to the roots of what making music is all about, San Francisco seven-piece Or, the Whale, is kicking up dust along the West Coast and spreading the gospel of honest music.... Seeing this band play live is touching, invigorating, and downright fun."
- West Coast Performer Magazine
"Brandishing four Grand Ole Opry–worthy vocalists — frequently harmonizing to thrilling effect — as well as three other accomplished musicians, Or, the Whale throw one hell of a barn dance."
- San Francisco Bay Guardian
"The group has been together now for approximately two years but they sound as if it’s been two decades.....Clever alt-country, Americana, roots rock, indie pop, and alternative tunes are all mangled together for one sound that is bootstrapping and dynamite."
- Smother Magazine
"Or the Whale may live in the Bay Area of San Francisco, but their music belongs to the country as a whole. This is the sound of a mythic America, where dreams can be followed, where lives can be changed and where friendship means everything. Light Poles and Pines is an album to fall in love with and for all the right reasons. It’s as American as Mark Twain and every bit as charming and nostalgic as his writing. Prepare to have your heart warmed."
- Incendiary Magazine
"Some would say that they're a country band playing rock and roll and some would say they're a rock and roll band playing country. it doesn't really matter, because they embody the best aspects of both genres while avoiding the cliched trappings of either."
- Instrumental Analysis
"Light Poles is syrupy thick in rich harmonies and a yearning swoon that makes it impossible to ignore."
- PopMatters -
"A well-seasoned stew that would put a smile on the faces of Wilco and Neil Young fans as well as devotees of bands like The Hold Steady and The Weakerthans."
- The Distillery Blog
"What is so clear listening to Light Poles And Pines is that this is a young band with tremendous potential. A lot of the musical ideas don't feel entirely fleshed out, but remain engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, and most importantly, just plain fun."
- Celestial Biscuit
"At first listen I though this may be one of those alt-countryish things that is pleasant enough but that I could really take or leave. But turns out it's almost indescribably great, so I guess I'll take it."
- PURGe
"Soaring vocal harmonies convey stories of good times and heartbreak over textured melodic instrumentals that reference a number of familiar and comforting musical elements from folk, rock, and Americana, fused together into a uniquely sublime blend that feels less anachronistic than timeless."
- Aji Signal
"Like any co-ed ensemble worthy of your stereo, Or, the Whale make it sound so natural and easy that you can’t help but think of how much fun it must be to be in their band."
- Reviewer Magazine
"This impressive debut from Or, the Whale declares a promise and brands themselves, with a hot iron, as representatives of the true revival of modern Americana. These guys have clearly been sifting and have apparently found gold. Lucky for us, they're willing to share the wealth."
- Delusions of Adequacy
Or, the Whale is the band that if ever caught off guard by an onstage power outage would say, “Fuck it,” pull in tighter, and play and sing harder and louder than you’d hoped for in the first place.
Sure, the San Francisco-based band harbors seven members, so you could argue for strength in numbers. But writing off the impression that they inevitably leave isn’t so easy; with such a diverse group of musicians, there’s no shortage of skill and influence. Some members toured in punk bands, others played roots and funk music, and still another tested her pipes as a chamber music vocalist. At first glance, their histories seem random. But weave those experiences together and you get a sound you can feel.
Or, the Whale’s songs range from danceable, rhythm-charged country-rock ditties with swaggering bass lines and articulately stomped-out drums to indie pop-rock tunes with bopping piano, snapping drums, and loops of finger-plucked guitar that explode into electric riffs to add fuel to fervent vocals. Slow it down and throw in some four-part harmonies, vibrant organ passages, and rippling pedal steel, and songs escalate into thoughtful ballads.
When it comes down to it Or, the Whale’s music can fly spirited and boisterous or topple lonely and bereaved. Hell, sometimes it does all those things in one song. Stories of hope and longing emerge from soothing, stirring vocals and twangy rock instrumentation. The latest evidence of this is on their first full-length album, Light Poles and Pines.
At times, Light Poles and Pines is omnipotent and epic (“Life and Death at Sea”), painfully reflective (“Rope Don’t Break”), or both (“Fight Song”). On “Life and Death at Sea,” defeated, raspy lead vocals sink under a whining pedal steel until pulled up by a rousing harmony. The two voices blend and are joined for a powerful chorus that valiantly leads the song back into the light of hope. And really, that’s the secret behind Or, the Whale’s draw: their songs are honest, intelligent, musically compelling reflections that act like the light off of a beacon, shining over the darkest, choppiest waters.
-Melanie Roberts
So like I promised we listened to your album several times and decided that track 12 is great love makin' music. "started slow then fast..." Perfect lyrics and ambiance ;)
Hey kids-- All my very much enjoyed your performance and sharing the bill with ya at the Viper Room. Safe travels as the tour continues. Lookin' forward to doin' it again. Cheers, PChez
Lovely, lovely meeting all of you last night! I repeat the rocking the face off comment! Good luck tonight and on the remainder of the tour....hope to share a stage soon. -Cheers, April :)
