The Poison Oaks | Pine

Self-released (2011)

By NINA MASHUROVA | November 29, 2011

2.5 Stars

It feels unfair for the Poison Oaks to release Pine, their debut 7-inch, on the cusp of another New England winter. Morning frosts encroach, but the sprightly banjo bounce and carefree handclaps on the title track and the heat-bug buzz on "Ninety" tempt you with the glimmer of brighter days. Such is the power of pop. In this case, this power is wielded by a five-to-15-person "folkestra" led by fiddler whirlwind Laura Cortese. Pine combines folky banjos and lyrical nods to nature with intricate instrumentation, jazz and swing elements, and choral vocals. In her best moments, such as on the standout "London Devil," Cortese's dark voice approximates Neko Case. During more passively pretty songs, Pine is a slick showcase for seasoned musicians. Cortese studied at Berklee, which can raise red flags among purists who insist that "real" art comes raw from the muse rather than from training and studio time. Pine does lack the immediacy that made the Poison Oaks so mesmerizing during their November residency at the Aviary in Jamaica Plain, but it's an album with promise. It remains to be seen whether that promise is of a deeper follow-up or just pleasant company for warmer days, before we retreat to our caves, noise bands, and frozen burritos.

Topics: CD Reviews , Jamaica Plain, Boston, Music, More

| More

Most Popular

The Current Issue

Table of Contents

Cover Archive

Masthead | Authors | Contact us

Blogs

Christopher Shea's Berlin Diary, part two
Outside The Frame | February 15, 2013 at 5:11 PM

Free Fun Shit: Feb 15-21: Slumbrew social, Central Square roast, Chinese New Year celebration, Crabbie's ginger beer tasting + more
Phlog | February 15, 2013 at 3:38 PM

[audio] Peter Hook on WFNX: the legacy of Joy Division, feuding with New Order, and his new book, "Unknown Pleasures"
On The Download | February 15, 2013 at 1:08 PM

Q&A #7: GOP Senate Field
Talking Politics | February 15, 2013 at 12:40 PM

[from the gut] Demanding style over substance in indie music and culture
On The Download | February 15, 2013 at 12:38 PM

CURRENT CONTESTS

BOSTON'S FINEST -- Ticket Giveaway

SNITCH -- Ticket Giveaway

All Promotions . . .

ARTICLES BY NINA MASHUROVA

THE BABIES | OUR HOUSE ON THE HILL | November 12, 2012
This fall, Freaks and Geeks started streaming on Netflix, and, coincidentally, the Babies released their sophomore album.

BORN GOLD | LITTLE SLEEPWALKER | November 07, 2012
Little Sleepwalker , written alone in the Arizona desert, is Born Gold's step back.

TO THE BATHAUS | October 25, 2012
Say what you will about witch house.

WHAT'S F'N NEXT? POLIÇA | October 02, 2012
Poliça have come a long way in the past year. When they played the Paradise last September, the Minnesota act opened for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah — and it was one of their first shows ever.