Chilly Bones

Since when did Oberlin, Ohio spawn experimental musicians with a knack for late 70s Afro-Cuban Jazz and late 90’s electronics? Well, since the arrival of the musician known as Skeletons. Yes you read that correctly. Skeleton and his highly unconventional band The Girl-Faced Boys prefer an odd mix of experimental jazz rhythms, slick beats, spacey synths, and crisp vocals. In theory, it would seem to make for a very dynamic album. However, the overall slickness of the production leaves most of the songs sounding hollow. There are a few times on ”Git” where the band manages to balance high-end production with some soulful songwriting. “See The Way,” the albums lead-off track, is the type of song you might expect if The Postal Service suddenly became obsessed with free-jazz. Frantic horn bursts, and a tribal, steady rhythm coalesce with layered vocals to act as enhancements for an otherwise classic pop tune. The album’s title tracks fair almost as well. Here there are no jazz influences to be found, just shiny synths, pop-friendly beats, and quick, but powerful lyrics, such as “That was so teenage/This is heart-attack.” It’s the album’s most immediate track and best vocal performance, but nowhere as successful as “Y’all Think It’s Soo Easy.” Here the band creates a great mix of challenging music and textured vocal treatments, which results in a very fresh and relatively warm sound.

The majority of ”Git” tends to be overproduced and very slick, creating a rather chilly experience and a severe lack of resonance. However, the band proves that their style can work, and be filled with warmth, on a few occasions.