CD review: "Love & Sabotage" by The Oswald Effect

Seattle band The Oswald Effect blasts into the scene with their second release, "Love & Sabotage." The quartet plans on making sure you know and remember their name, and their music, with this extremely powerful CD.

Lead singer Heath Bauer's voice seems to be caught in a torrid love triangle between his regular singing voice, powerful screaming and harmonious falsettos. He could remind some of U2's Bono or fellow Seattleite Zach Davidson, formerly of Vendetta Red and now of Sirens Sister. Bauer sings mostly in a regular tune, with a voice that is completely original without being over the top, occasionally flirting with the power that only a good razor sharp scream can create. This back and forth is most prominent in the song "Roxy Fly" where Bauer will go from screaming straight into a Bono-esque melody.

The flirting comes to a boil in "KGB" when Bauer just gets down right nasty, belting out powerful screaming vocals all through out the chorus. The screams are poetic and strong, not just growling cookie monster grunts. Bauer is a very strong vocalist and the band behind him are no slouches either. Joshua Shepard's guitar lines on this album are both original and refined, creating twists and turns that take you on a trip through the song, not over it. The guitar stands on it's own, but also weaves beautifully with the rest of the music. Casey Brookbush's drums and Jon Carey's bass both ring out confidently, creating a rhythm that long precedes the band's history.

The song "The Most Beautiful Spacesuit" sounds like if you took U2 and had them take music lessons from Motley Crue. Heavy yet melodic, artistic yet danceable. Bauer's other love interest, the falsetto, is never more prevalent than in this song.

The album concludes with the song "Simple Salvation," a track that sounds like a combination of Billy Idol and Bullets & Octane. The rock in this one is pure and thick and sweaty, just the way it should be.

I almost forgot to mention the best part about this CD; IT'S FREE! The band is giving it away for free download over at their website, or you can purchase the actual thing for $8. The Oswald Effect's music is genuine, unique and fun and is definitely worth a listen. Hell... I even probably would have paid.

http://www.theoswaldeffect.com/