Songs:Ohia Coming, Led by OC Alumnus

Well-Received Toronto Folkies Royal City to Join

Mellow simplicity invades the 'Sco Thursday when Songs:Ohia and Royal City bring their respective brands of melancholy experimental folk to Oberlin.

Jason Molina (OC '96) is the driving force behind Songs:Ohia's contemplative sound, strumming lead guitar and also providing the sparse vocal contributions. He and the band are touring in support of their fifth full-length album (and second of the year), Ghost Tropic, on Secretly Canadian Records. The current album is more of a sonic journey than anything that could be called rock'n'roll. It meanders, not aimlessly but with a sense almost of predetermination, from song to song. There's a sense of detatchment in Molina's approach to music that lets the music flow of its own accord, forming hypnotic swirls and drawing the listener in ever closer.

Molina has stayed close to Oberlin in many ways through his five-year recording career. Secretly Canadian is based in Indiana. He has also recorded an album for Lorain-based happy go lucky records (1998's Impala) and played many shows in the area throughout.

The other half of the bill is Toronto act Royal City, a band that has received a showering of critical praise lately, especially north of the border. Their approach to music-making is as sparse as Songs:Ohia's ‹ the latest album, At Rush Hour the Cars was recorded in mono on 8 and 4-tracks ‹ but the conception of music is along more traditional lines. Still contemplative, their songs are of a more traditional format. RC uses dissonant vocals that play off one another, backed up by a mellow (if reasonably standard) alternating stable of piano, drum and guitar. They're not in a hurry to get anywhere with their music, and they aren't going to yell at you to listen to it ‹ if you do, great, but they're playing whether or not you're coming with them.

Songs:Ohia and Royal City are sure to put on one of the better (if not most electric) performances of the year, which provides an interesting contrast to one of the best shows of the year up until now, November's At the Drive In/Murder City Devils/Bluetip romp. Those guys, for good or bad, were rock stars, and they were all about kickin' ass. Representing the other end of the spectrum in terms of good new progressive rock, Songs:Ohia and Royal City will put on a show where you will not bleed, sweat or get punched. You may, however, find yourself engaged in other equally new and shocking activities ‹ thinking, for instance.

Songs:Ohia and Royal City play at the 'Sco Thursday, Dec. 14 starting at 10 p.m.