Oxbow have been going a while, and 2007's "The Narcotic Story" is their 6th and latest album.
Vocalist Eugene Robinson manages to channel the avant-garde insanity of Mike Patton, the howling depravity of Eyehategod's Mike Williams and the claustraphobic demonic nature of The Jesus Lizard's David Yow, to awesome effect. "It never rains...it fuckin' pours" he lugubriously yowls in "A Winner Every Time", but "She's A Find" has him almost crooning along, accompanied by soothing but subtly unnerving violins. It's pretty unsettling and at times draining listening, but the kind of album that unravells itself after multiple listens.
Despite the singer mumbling and stumbling his way through the album, the instrumental side of Oxbow is formidable - there are some big riffs to be found here, as well as some tripped out clean guitar lines almost reminiscent of 70's/ post rock.
7.5/10
Highlights : "Down A Stair Backward", "She´s A Find"
See also - Mr Bungle, The Jesus Lizard, Eyehategod
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