Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity
Santiago’s Vest
Electrokitty Records/In Music We Trust
Straight power-pop. That’s what Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity serve up on their second full-length album, Santiago’s Vest. The story behind the title is just as intriguing as the music.
The album opens with “Capital State,” a song about hurrying up just to end up waiting once you get to where you were going (like growing up or getting in line for American Idol just to have the judges pretend like you don’t have any talent. Not that I’m speaking from experience.) “Rolling Over” is a pop gem complete with a keyboard solo that sounds like it was taken straight from the TV show Taxi.
“Rolling Over” and “Who Do You Love” are also radio hits in the making, but with a deeper message about the media, corporations, and mass marketing, and the effects on the daily lives of everyone. Has it been done before? Yes, but you won’t hear it much better than this.
The album cover has a green vest in a gold ornate frame that Reynolds says symbolizes how ordinary things are held up like they have great worth. Reynolds had an intern named Santiago who left his vest when he quit. That’s how the whole concept was started. It’s essentially an inside joke that is now an outside joke.
Santiago’s Vest (the album) is a great addition for anyone who likes jangle-pop and anything that they can bob their heads to.
Brides of Obscurity: http://www.bridesofobscurity.com
