Stephen Saro said on 6/11/2010
I have always been a massive fan of Omar Domkus’s bass work, always mentioning his name during geeky bass talk, about guys like Tony Levin, or Mick Karn, or the more aggressive, Les Claypool!
Omar’s bass licks on the Scaterd Few albums Sin Disease, and Jawboneofanass helped transcend the band to a whole new caliber of progressive alternative music/hardcore. When I was young and first listened to Scaterd Few, I didn’t quite understand the strange elements that I was hearing. I couldn’t put my finger on what was making Sin Disease so……odd. Well besides brother, Allan Aguirre’s voice. Then when I got older and began to play my own experimental music, and learned about fretless bass, it suddenly hit me “Its that bass sound” and to this day, every time I listen to SF records with Omar on them, I notice more and more strange things coming from the low end.
When Scaterd Few broke up (The classic line up that is) I always said “I wish Omar would do a record, heavy on the bass” But didn’t think it would actually happen….
Now Omar FINALLY re-emerges with this new record, Shades of a Shadow. Not since 1994 have I heard a single note played from Omar. I heard that back in the SF glory days, Omar strongly desired to take a Peter Gabriel/Real World approach to the band. I for one found this to be quite an exciting element. With this record, that approach is still firmly planted, or at least I would say it is.
The record is hard to explain, because at the forefront (Thank G_d) is the bass playing that I have come to expect from Omar. Traditional records are chock full of session players and tons of instrumentation. Not here. Instead, Omar delivers a quiet (sometimes) record of beautiful melodic fretless bass, sometimes accompanied by other strings, horns, percussion, etc.
I find this record to be really relaxing. A lot of the songs are minimal in approach which helps me focus on the bass work, which if you haven’t already noticed, I am a big fan of. Just when I have had a few songs to put me at ease, Omar throws in a few “rockier” tunes, one of the best being the MIA Scaterd Few song “Tiananmen Square” (done excellently here, and makes me wonder what this song sounded like back in the early days)
I am slightly reminded, sometimes, of the Peter Murphy project, Dali’s Car. Although much less dark and demented than that, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear Omar taking the position of front man. Yes, vocals, and they are really good, especially in the song “Aishes Chayil” and “Tehillim”
Some songs are completely unexpected, like the jazz song “Rejoice in the Dance” which I am assuming, hearkens back to Omar’s early days in jazz band!?!
Album highlights?
– Perceptions in the Mist
– Baroque
– Looking Darkly Through a Mirror
– Whisper
– Tehillim
but, honestly, there is nothing here that should be missed!
I highly recommend this record to anybody who would be on here, curious as to what type of album Omar is presenting here. If you’re looking for Scaterd Few, you won’t find that, nor will you find a guitar driven rock record. If you are looking for peaceful, playful, and slightly avant-garde, bass heavy music, look no further!!! I surely miss music like this!!!
I welcome Omar back, with arms wide open, finally…
Sturgis Waters said on 6/12/2010
Omar Rocks!!
Just bought the album, and wow… It is truly amazing! Very impressive production value, and excellent continuity from song to song. A great album to put on just to kick back, but poignant lyrics when you take the time to stop and listen. Omar is an amazing bass player, yet has vocal talents that are quite enjoyable and bring an eerie melodic lyrical vibe to the songs. Two thumbs up!!