James O-L

For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky

BY Matthew McKeanPublished Oct 10, 2013

6
Windsor, Ontario-based folk singer James O-L can usually be found on the Canadian festival and club scene with his band the Villains. For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky is the musician's solo debut and reflects James O-L's diverse musical background, equal parts classic rock, indie rock, punk, folk, roots and alt-country.

Legend has it the songs on this album were inspired by a backpacking trip through Central America, and early standout tracks like "One Horse Town," "Yellow Gold" and "Bastimentos" have all the charm of a band of villagers rambling through town with their guitars, violins, tam tams, woodwinds and wood blocks.

Less clear is the connection between the first four songs and the last two, a chant about skateboarding (really, skateboarding?) and a two-minute techno guitar riff. This six-song EP starts strong and would have benefitted from a memorable fifth and final track to confirm its early promise.
(Independent)

Latest Coverage