Help Thee Oh Sees Artist

Tight isn't a word that fits comfortably when describing {|Thee Oh Sees|}, but on {|Help|}, the second full-length effort from {|John Dwyer|}'s {|garage psych|} marauders, the band has certainly learned to find order amidst chaos in a manner that elu... Read more

Tight isn't a word that fits comfortably when describing {|Thee Oh Sees|}, but on {|Help|}, the second full-length effort from {|John Dwyer|}'s {|garage psych|} marauders, the band has certainly learned to find order amidst chaos in a manner that eluded them on their 2008 debut {|The Master's Bedroom Is Worth Spending a Night In|}. The basic approach on {|Help|} isn't particularly different than on {|Thee Oh Sees|}' first effort -- the guitars are thick, ringing, and dripping with reverb and distortion, the rhythm section pounds away in a simple but relentless fashion, the massed vocals approximate vintage California-style harmonies in the midst of a trip on dirty acid, and the songs take traditional {|garage rock|} changes and bend them a wee bit as the production runs them through just enough low-budget studio trickery until they resemble a paisley nightmare oozing out of your speakers. Still, while most of the tunes on {|Help|} sound as purposefully messed up as ever, they're just a bit tidier and more straightforward here, and the stronger framework makes a positive difference. Similarly, the performances sound more unified and less chaotic here, as if everyone is following the same vision that lurks over the horizon for a change, and the ferocity of {|Dwyer|}'s guitar is potent, locking into the crash-boom-bang of the bass and drums with impressive force. And while full-on assaults on reality like {|Enemy Destruct|} and {|Soda St. #1|} are the order of the day on {|Help|}, there's enough of a {|pop|} lilt in {|Go Meet the Seed|} and {|Can You See?|} to confirm these folks saw some real nice colors while making this album and have a variety of tricks in their repertoire to express them. You might not trust {|Thee Oh Sees|} to give you a ride home after a gig, but if you're looking for a seriously buzzy rave-up, {|Help|} certainly delivers the goods. ~ Mark Deming Less