Everything, When Said Slowly

Description

In addition to being a wild cat of the Americas, the Ocelots are also the twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Watson, originally from Wexford, Ireland, but after traveling through Europe and Australia, they currently reside in Leipzig, Germany. "Everything, When Said Slowly" is their second album and it was recorded in their hometown of Wexford after a Kickstarter campaign, and features the brothers' sibling harmonies with songs written individually by Ashley and Brandon, with co-writing. The Watson brothers play guitar, piano, and clawhammer banjo and are joined on some tracks by Conor Cunningham, Jessie Monk, Pauli Eschenburg, and co-producers Cillian Byrne and Lorcan Byrne, who add atmospheric color. Historical Irish migration and their own experiences of leaving Ireland and Australia helped shape the songs on the record, which reflect a view of life informed by literature and, in some cases, a sense of absurdity. The opening track "The Lighthouse" gives a good preview of what to expect from the Ocelots as it features Ashley and Brandon on a song about wild dogs scavenging for scraps and their journeys set against an oceanic backdrop. The Ocelots' pop smarts are on display on "About You" which sees their harmonies and acoustic guitars joined by a full band including flute and synths. Brandon's "Landlords" puts the banjo upfront and manages to evoke the idea of a sunny day. On "Australia," Ashley connects his own travels to Irish migration on a song that references Tom Waits' "Rain Dogs," a major influence on the brothers. "Joy Outside" has a rich soundscape that wouldn't be out of place on a psychedelic compilation from the 60s. The piano takes center stage on "The Good of a Bad Year" which is comforting in the manner of a winter's evening. Warm summer days are evoked on "Front Door Key." The brothers' sound takes on a more rock tinge, with the ever-present banjo, on "Fool To Want You." Cycling is the inspiration for "Tunnels" which brings the Ocelots back to more familiar pop-folk territory. The Ocelots give their take on a wordy love song with "Innocence of Love" which turns into an unexpected dissonance in the music. Italo Calvino's book of the same name inspired "Invisible Cities," confirming the Ocelots' literary and travel interests.