The new album from Ohmme, Parts, out on Friday on Joyful Noise Recordings, is a superb record, and one that defies easy categorization. This duo make music that straddles multiple genres with ease, even as it lingers in the brain after it's over.
Opener "Icon" successfully channels both The Roches and Laurie Anderson, while the percussive "Water" seems a throwback to the early days of post-punk, or a rough ride over territory occupied by Danielle Dax on some releases. The tune is, like many here, bracing and affecting, a blast of smart indie that melds rhythm and melody with an ease not unlike that of peak-period Talking Heads. Elsewhere, the absolutely gorgeous "Sentient Beings" sees things slowed down to an ethereal, near-classical crawl as the musicians make their way over terrain that feels both familiar and eerie, while "Walk Me" tries a similar thing with the faintest country twang. At their very best, Ohmme -- Sima Cunningham and Macie Steart (Marrow) -- use material like the title cut here, and the undulating "Liquor Cabinet" to pursue the sort of edgy alt-rock that acts like Throwing Muses and Jane Siberry once chased. And for all the ambition here, Ohmme keep things light enough that this stuff is entirely enjoyable and melodically memorable throughout.
Parts is out on Friday via Joyful Noise Recordings.
More details on Ohmme via the band's official Facebook page, or their official website.
[Photo: Alexa Viscius]