Modest Mouse’s influence is clear throughout Fog Lamp, alongside the influence of other American indie stars Built To Spill.  Rather than aping their American influences, Ogre You Asshole succeed in capturing their spirit, and have become their peers rather than pupils (Smiths/Modest Mouse guitarist Johnny Marr has said he’d love to play with them)

Ogre You Asshole have been active since 2004, and have released a steady stream of recordings – Fog Lamp is their third album, but they’ve also released a number of mini-albums and singles, making this their seventh release.  There’s no sense of urgency on this release, but rather a self assured modesty.  Ogre You Asshole aren’t out to challenge your sensibilities, and that’s just fine.

Simplicity is key on Fog Lamp – there are places, such as the intro for “Hako” (箱) that are minimal to the core – but Ogre You Asshole add to those simple chord progressions with clever, but still spare arrangements that demonstrate their expertise.

Ultimately, Ogre You Asshole are good enough that they don’t have to try and be flashy to impress.  They place every note, beat, and chord is in its right place and Fog Lamp is one of the best records of the year.

Audio: Hako

Video: Headlight

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Ogre You Asshole Official Website | MySpace

Here’s a video for ‘Head Light’ from Ogre You Asshole’s upcoming album, (spotted first by Deaf and Dumb).  I’m digging the poltergeist theme of the video, as well as the (mostly) one-long-shot style.  Of course, the song itself is excellent too.  Nothing too fancy on this song, it’s mostly based around a very simple (and very catchy) bassline and and a bouncy drum beat.

Fog Lamp comes out October 7, and if the rest of it is as good as this song I’ll be very happy indeed.

Ogre You Asshole: MySpace | Official Website