NOTHING TO FEAR

Oingo Boingo

Crossover Prog

4.33 | 31 ratings

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Evolver
Special Collaborator
Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams

Oingo Boingo's second album matches the first in intensity, and perhaps even improves on it by eliminating most of the ska and reggae references that permeated the debut.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind ska, but it often seems like an all too easy way to make music sound exotic. Danny Elfman doesn't need to rely on that. His tuned percussion, often played on real instruments, but sometimes beefed up with synth support, is just amazing. The opener, Grey Matter features dual maribas (a treat if you were fortunate enough to catch this group live) that work into a delicious frenzy.

The horns are spectacular as well. There are some extremely hot sax solos by Leon Schniederman and Sam Phipps that belie the band's jazzier beginnings (in a circus troupe, of all things).

Elfman's songs here are some of his best, whether he's singing about dancing on insects (Insects), the edge of insanity (Private Life, Whole Day Off, sex, or just plain weirdness.

And the arrangements give the whole thing a proggy edge that makes this a fine album for the discerning collector.

Evolver | 4/5 | 2013-6-24

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