Shane O’Brien is nuts. And like Seinfeld might say, there is nothing wrong with it. In this case, it produces a startlingly original CD.
O’Brien parts sings and parts raps over his electric guitar playing, rambling in a subdued voice about subjects that concern him. “My Love Letter” is a great example of the strange explorations this CD takes, as someone starts the track by saying he is from San Pedro California and is into Jesus Christ, while O’Brien asks him about life insurance.
There are a lot of long, well crafted rock jams here with O’Brien and his friends. All have an interesting, organic sound. Many do not seem to have bass, and the percussion seems to be done on a reduced drum kit, or with hand drums.
O’Brien says on a message board that he has twenty-two CDs that he will soon make available on a website. This might put him in the territory of Jandek, another prolific artist whose reputation has grown because of his unique vision.
This lo-fi CD could be the beginning of a cult following for O’Brien, a singer/songwriter unlike any other.
Web site at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=225800