Ought - Once More with Feeling EP

Ought

Once More with Feeling EP

28 October (18 September) 2014

Constellation

 

3.5 stars out of 5

 

 

Montreal’s indie rock quartet Ought launched the Once More with Feeling EP at their Pop Montreal show on September 18^th, though it wasn’t officially released until yesterday. Passing the guitar over to guest Charlotte Cornfield for “New Calm, Pt. 2,” leader Tim Beeler let loose and busted a move David Byrne-style for the song’s seven-minute duration. (Insert sample of James Murphy insisting, “But I was there!”) It was a good example of the inclusiveness Ought foster with their music, and also of how much the band rely on dynamics and Beeler’s presence. The same four chords over seven minutes should get a little old after the first two or three minutes, right? Not at all in the case of “New Calm, Pt. 2.” Plus, any lyrics that include, “Who invited Paul Simon? I didn’t invite him! Here we go!” are winning on many different levels.

 

The three other tracks are of varying quality. “New Calm, Pt. 3” is an interesting, seemingly improv piece that approaches free jazz at points. “Waiting,” an outtake from the More Than Any Other Day sessions, is more straight rock, tumbling along as Beeler’s singing pushes and kicks it wherever he desires. “Pill” is the slightest track here, much more effective in a live setting than it is in this particular take. As a whole, the EP is uneven and feels cobbled together from random parts, as EPs often do and are. As an addendum to their LP released earlier in the year, it offers insight into other facets of the band.

 

reviewed by Richard Krueger