Loxsly

Tomorrow's Fossils

(Little Mafia/Texas Heat)

Record Review by Amber Henson

Sitting in band in ninth grade, nerdy and with braces, playing third clarinet, I never would have guessed that the words my band teacher was spitting in my general direction, words like "minor tones", "crescendo" and "staccato" would come back to help me in my 20s.  But I find myself often using those definitions to describe music to my readers.  One thing I was aware of at the time was the way music made me feel.  This feeling has only intensified while, sadly, my clarinet sits dusty in the corner.

All of those words apply to Loxsly, especially "minor tones".  There are glimpses of the major chords, but they wouldn’t really convey what Loxsly seems to want to tell us: life is hopeless, but at least we can make connections with each other.  I wouldn’t call their music indie, nor would I call it experimental.  It’s rock, played with pianos, slow drums, and electronics.  I’m reminded of both Edward Scissorhands and Electric President.  The lead singer, Cody Ground, sings like he’s telling his listeners a secret.  Justin Douglas on steel guitar, plays with strong heat some times, and at others, disinterestedly.  Eryk Lugo on bass and David Nathan on drums bring the band together and keep things heavy.

Tomorrow’s Fossils is the band’s follow up to 2008’s EP Flashlights with the fun song “Speckled Eggs”.  With their new album, they have the space to stretch with thirteen tracks and a variety of song lengths.  They’re fond of psychedelic lyrics (many of them involving lab rats for reasons I still haven’t determined) and switching tempos (another term I can thank Band for!). There’s also a preoccupation with toy pianos and recording songs in interesting ways.  “Clicking Feet” sounds like it was recorded on a child’s old tape recorder, and you get the feeling they’re trying to creep their audience out.

As a ninth grader, I wouldn’t have appreciated Loxsly, and probably would have found it to be a downer.  Tomorrow’s Fossils might use those minor tones, but they do it well, and make us focus on the reality around us instead of ignoring it.