Almost Two Decades On, Thee Oh Sees Continue to Grow

In August, Thee Oh Sees released an energetic 8-track album called A Weird Exits. The only complaint anyone could levy was that it lacked balance, thrashing all the way through without giving listeners a chance to catch their breath. It turns out that the missing ingredients were being saved for An Odd Entrances, a companion LP recently released through Castle Face Records. It’s Thee Oh Sees’ 18th and most low-key record to date, offering six tracks of experimental rock.

The atmosphere on Entrances is swamp-like, filled with whirrs and clicks that sound sampled from a lively ecosystem. Vocals are present but typically take a back seat to off-beat rhythms; when they do emerge they are hazy or merely tonal, as on “You Will Find It Here,” adding layers of density rather than guiding a track to higher ground. Most of the album forgoes vocals completely, instead using atypical instruments, like the free-ranging flute on “Jammed Exit,” to create something akin to narrative. The album’s final track, “Nervous Tech (Nah John)”, doubles down on the experimental qualities of the record, letting distorted guitar riffs rip across the sonic landscape while the foundation gurgles with organic energy.

Often, Entrances gets distracted exploring the wilds of its soundscape, forgetting that it’s got an audience in tow. However, long time fans of Thee Oh Sees shouldn’t be put off. After nearly two decades of consistent production, they’ve earned the right to experiment, and Entrances is loaded with enough intriguing moments that its excesses don’t become a burden.

It’s uncommon for bands that have been around for as long as Thee Oh Sees to stay relevant. Often it’s because they’re unable to break from the style that first brought them success. The Oh Sees have shattered that mold. Through relentless productivity and a willingness to experiment, they’ve managed to stay near the top of the garage rock pile, and you don’t need to look any further than An Odd Entrances to understand why.