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SXSW review: Obits
Brooklyn-based Obits are Rick Froberg, Scott Gursky, Sohrab Habibion and Greg Simpson. It’s an experienced lineup, with Forberg coming from Hot Snakes and other bands and the other guys having played in bands including Edsel and Shortstack. “Moody, Standard and Poor,” their second album, is out March 29 on Sub Pop. Their set their set at their label’s showcase Friday was a primer on how to kill at SXSW, a gigantic dose of highly concentrated, pump-you-up musical energy.
One thing that was immediately obvious during the set was how well this band plays together. A lot of the time, the music was just seamless. They’re considered indie rock veterans but it’s not like they’ve been together for twenty five years. It’s only been like five, but that’s not what it sounded like, though, on songs like “I Want Results,” with its wild west guitars and hypnotic drums. Fans of Froberg’s other bands might consider Obits a little too toned down, and that’s fine. It’s not melt-your-face insane, but it’s not meant to be. They mixed it up, drawing from a spectrum of style that included both hazy surf-rock and just flat out, super-fast, how-do-you-slow-this-thing-down punk, and all of it sounded great.
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