Tamer Animals, the second album by Oklahoma band Other Lives, was written by chief songwriter Jesse Tabish mostly in the back on vans, on long eight-hour stretches in between gigs. Perhaps for some the metal interior of a van wouldn't be the most conducive environment for creativity, but something clearly clicked for Tabish as this album is filled with lush, deeply imaginative instrumentation.
Other Lives originally began life years ago as Kunek, a band whose music was purely instrumental, before electing to eventually add vocals to the mix. Tabish's time served as a composer of instrumentals though is evident in almost every track on Tamer Animals. Songs like As I Lay My Head Down and Woodwind, with their wide array of instrumentation - bassoon, cello, French horn and more - weave their way through the songs as Tabish's vocals, ethereal and reverb-heavy, hangs heavy above them like a spectre.
For 12, a particular highlight, is one of the more conventional tracks on the album with it being primarily guitar, vocals, string and just a hint of piano showing that Tabish is adept at working with whatever is in his toolbox.
The title track, Tamer Animals,, is a master-class of song structure. Its low-key intro teases you into listen to more before the eventual bass, and the other elements, surround the mix like a warm blanket. Truly one of the best songs of 2011 so far. Other Lives are just beginning to make a name for themselves outside of the South Central United States. Tamer Animals will mostly likely be the knock on the door, just wait until it opens fully wide. Expect big things.
