Record Review: Oblio – Tonight You’re Gonna Be A Revelation

Usually when you think of Nashville these days, it’s all singer-songwriters and country pop. Well, Oblio may just change that.

Playing classic rock with indie colors, this band knows their craft. Singer Terry Price sounds like a rocked out Glen Phillips and the band sounds like Radiohead circa The Bends backing Harry Nilsson. There is a touch of 60s style changes and melodies that make this record sound familiar, but Oblio mixes it up and makes it sound very new. The album was produced by Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips, Garrison Star) and it is crisp and clean without sounding overly polished. For a trio this band sounds big, the choruses crash out and the dynamics are very well done. Drummer Ben Jarvis and bassist Travis Vance lock in and build the perfect sonic backdrop for Price’s voice.

The album kicks off with “Across the Table”, a very catchy syncopated tune full of hooks. Price knows how to go from a tender whisper to a strained yelp in an instant. I want to say they sound like Toad the Wet Sprocket or Snow Patrol but they are more edgy than that. It’s one hit after another and there is not a bad song here. This band cannot lose with melodies like “Ladies Night” and the single “A Story of Nashville”.

Tonight, You’re Gonna Be A Revelation really shines in the arrangements. Yes, it’s straight forward rock but Oblio seamlessly make it not sound like your basic guitar driven band. “Ways and Means” is a great example of this; reverb drenched guitars and a skipping drum beat can turn a song into a piece of pop mastery. The alt-country twang of “Local Criminals” starts out with a nice calm melody and then rocks into Sonic Youth-like noise. This is music done right.

Revelation is a great record all the way through and it’s just long enough not to wear out its welcome. I can listen to this record over and over. Oblio write great infectious heartfelt songs. The songwriting is top notch, the singing and lyrics are excellent and they got more hooks than an episode of Deadliest Catch. Keep an eye out for this band.

Listen: Oblio – Story Of Nashville

Oblio return to Atlanta on April 29 at the 529.