Blending high-energy '90s-era alternative rock with hints of raw punk spontaneity and reckless, merriment attitude, Oxford Collapse [ ] has become a favorite of Brooklyn, NY's live music scene. With its sophomore Sub Pop album, "Bits," due Tuesday (8/12), the group could find itself breaking through to a bigger audience.
The new album comprises 13 songs chosen from close to 30 the group wrote during the summer of 2007. (Several of the songs that didn't make the cut will come along on dissever, smaller releases.) Guitarist and co-vocalist Mike Pace aforesaid he is most proud of the fact that "Bits" is a reflection of the group's collective songwriting efforts, as all three members had an equal hand in the creative swear out.
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"This album is the truest representation of us," Pace told LiveDaily subsequently Oxford Collapse opened for We Are Scientists at their recent sold-out show at New York's Bowery Ballroom. "I mean, if the estimation is to make a record that you'd desire to listen to yourself--which never really happens, but--this is the record I would want to mind to."
Oxford Collapse has earned a reputation for having bright, playfulness choruses steeped with arbitrary, elusive lyrics that go out it up to attender to derive some form of meaning or pointedness. However, Pace said that with "Bits," the band decided to be a little more forthright.
"A comment our friend made after our last record influenced our approach to writing 'Bits,'" Pace explained. "He aforementioned, 'You guys should try to write lyrics that are a little more than universal, as opposed to obtuse or abstract.' So, ya know, we decided it's OK to write a love song. It doesn't have to be veiled in all these layers of hidden meaning. There are decidedly a fate of 'love' songs on the record. Hopefully, they're not dropping into the clich� of that idea."
In addition to love, Pace indicated there are songs about a variety of topics on "Bits," including pro-wrestling, lawyers, grandparents and a personal experience his mother had when her neighbor by chance tore down a wall of shrubbery between their lawns.
"It's fun to write about things that people don't necessarily write songs around, but there is also a reason why people write around universal things, like love--they're universal," Pace said with a mater-of-fact tone.
Joining Pace in the songwriting process were bassist/co-vocalist Adam Rizer and drummer Dan Fetherson. "The way we write songs is identical democratic, very collaborative," Pace said. "We go to our pattern space and just mob and beak things. We do it all together--everything."
Some of the band's region musician friends also played a persona in "Bits." For model, the group enlisted pal Christian Owens for vocal support on the offbeat, Nashville-minded "John Blood," merely she's just one of several guest artists and collaborators.
"There's a song on the record where a acquaintance of ours wrote the lyrics and melody; there's another song where a friend of ours is playing cello and it's just Adam singing," said Pace. "We wanted to have a larger bulk of options, and to try newfangled things. "
Oxford Collapse makes a mix of music that is simultaneously nostalgic and groundbreaking. "[People] often say our music reminds them of growing up or college. None of that is intentional at all. It just so happens that we're all fairly slushy guys," he said. "In terms of mood, if the net record was our summer record, then this is our fall record."
After wrapping up a lengthy stint of shows with We Are Scientists on Monday (8/11), the indie rockers will have a quick breather in front taking to the road with Love as Laughter later this month.
As for the tour, audiences can expect a high-energy, good-humoured performance.
"The live show is an excuse for us to go batty and receive a good time," Pace said. "You know, we come from punk rock and stuff like that. It's one of the main reasons we got into playing music--because it's so fun to go off onstage and just go nuts."
[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who avow its accuracy as of the publication time of this storey. Changes may occur before go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for later updates.]
August 2008with We Are Scientists:8 - Chicago, IL - The Abbey Pub9 - Cleveland, OH - The Grog Shop10 - Newport, KY - Southgate House11 - Pittsburgh, PA - DieselSolo acoustic in store:17 - Brooklyn, NY - Sound Fix Record-release party:21 - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands with Love As Laughter:22 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head23 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 50624 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn25 - Birmingham, AL - Bottle Tree26 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon27 - Austin, TX - Mohawk29 - Tuscon, AZ - Solar Culture Gallery30 - Los Angeles, CA - SpacelandSeptember 2008with Love As Laughter:2 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop4 - Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan5 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern6 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Media Club8 - Edmonton, Alberta - Velvet Underground9 - Calgary, Alberta - Marquee Room10 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Amigo's12 - Fargo, ND - The Aquarium13 - Ames, IA - The Maintenance Shop15 - St. Louis, MO - The Bluebird17 - Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern19 - Pontiac, MI - Pike Room20 - Toronto, Ontario - Sneaky Dee's
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