The Minor White

The sound of “Old Theatrics”, the first full-length album from the Scranton, PA-based, The Minor White, is not exactly represented in its title.

The album's ten songs are based around an unmistakably classic line-up, with acoustic guitar, piano, Everly Brothers-style harmonies and a jazzy rhythm section providing the core. But lurking throughout the album is a variety of modern experimentation: psychotic feedback-driven guitar, cinematic string sections, wordy lyrics steeped in paranoia and romanticism, and unique song structures that are as challenging as they are rewarding.

The diverse yet instantly recognizable style of The Minor White would not be made possible without the prolific talent of the group's five multi-instrumentalists and co-contributors to the songwriting process. Roy Williams (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, organ, etc.), also of fellow Scrantonites And the Moneynotes, serves as lead vocalist and as one half of a lyrical partnership with Kyle Wall (electric guitar, piano, organ, bells, etc.), whose frenetic lead guitar (sometimes randomly) emerges from the depths of the often folky and harmony-drenched songs. The soulful keyboards of Kevin Williams (piano, organ, synthesizer, accordion), whose counter-melodies rest on top of brother Roy's throughout “Old Theatrics”, bounce along with the skillfully adept rhythm section of fellow brothers Ian O'Hara (bass guitar, upright bass) and Shane O'Hara (drums, percussion).

The band's open-minded approach can be seen in some of the members' various side projects: mandolin player in a bluegrass collective, upright bassist for a 1940's-style swing group, pianist for an earthy blues band; the group as a whole has even worn the musical costume of acts such as The Kinks and Bruce Springsteen for select shows.

In a live setting, The Minor White's various attributes are magnified for the audience in the songs that the group collectively labors over for weeks while writing. Songs will flow into the next. Members will trade off instruments between songs, and members will play two instruments within one song. Bridges that are dream-like and mellow on “Old Theatrics” explode into rollicking breakdowns, and vice versa. The performance is intensely energetic while still being focused in minute details.

Having solidified their sound since the the release of their 2007 debut “Daily Vacation” EP, The Minor White's non-imitable sense of style and collaboration continues to branch out in countless directions.

Old Theatrics, produced by Nick Krill of The Spinto Band is available now on Prairie Queen Records.

1. Old Fashioned Drinker (In a River of Glue)
2. Go To Hell
3. Money For Puppets
4. Vaudeville
5. Sanctuary
6. Pale Ideas
7. I've Burned Down Every House
8. Fever Scene
9. Most Things
10. Easy Elastic Girls

Daily Vacation EP (2007) now available on iTunes:

1. A Change in Season
2. The Ditty
3. Static Redbeard
4. Moonrag
5. Daily Vacation
6. So, Oklahoma

("Come Back Down," "Overcome What You've Got," "Broken Silence," "Product of Complications," "Everything's Better Now," and anything else not listed above are all old demos from a few years back.)

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