CD Review: O.B. Howard’s Self-Titled Album

The season of exquisite beards and red flannels has passed, but the spirit of these folking hipsters (like the pun there?) lives on. However, the epicenter for folk always seems to trace back to Rhode Island and the legacy of the Newport Folk Fest, especially with the influx of modern folk artists like Deer Tick and Haunt the House. As the scene evolves, new artists emerge into the spotlight, brandishing their own form of fiddle-tinged goodness.

Enter O.B. Howard, an indie folk trio straight out of Providence, with a knack for killer harmonies and soothing rhythms that will mellow you out faster than that joint in your hand. The group includes vocalist Alexandra Dutremble, banjoist Buck St. Thomas and mandolinist Keith Barrette, all of whom are integral to the sonic architecture of their self-titled first album.

“Blue and Gray,” their first single and also the first track of the album, sets an ethereal tone for the album that perfectly blends Dutremble’s haunting vocals with the intricate aesthetic of St. Thomas’s banjo work. The sheer simplicity of the track allows for an easy listening experience that transcends an earthly form of simple instruments and vocal harmonies.

This theme of transcendental beauty in song recurs throughout the album, and one can easily hear the painstaking detail that goes into each hook and melody.

A great example of that is “Trip,” a beautifully arranged piece that puts the emphasis on Dutremble’s passionate vocals, complemented by a nimbly finger-picked guitar and various instrumentals. This track stands out as perhaps the best track off the record.

While it may be difficult to establish one’s unique tone in the realm of folk music, O.B. Howard delivers in personally stamping their Little Rhody pride into their sound, drawing influence from the beautiful landscapes and ocean scenery. In the emphatically depressing “Whale Song,” Dutremble bemoans the fate of an infant whale off the coast of Rhode Island, “There goes that whale again / baby was dead in the sand.”

The backlash, however, in molding tone is the trial and error period of seeing what works and what doesn’t, and unfortunately, the problem strikes O.B. Howard, who seem to be trying to blur the line between folk and indie pop. The confusingly short “Reckless” layers an odd computerized beat alongside Dutremble’s capable vocals, and they seem to compete for attention rather than assist one another.

Despite this being their first release, O.B. Howard have established themselves as a kickass folk band that punches your soul with sublime feelings first and asks questions later. We all knew how pertinent Deer Tick would be after “War Elephant” and now, the case can be made for O.B. Howard, the newfound torchbearers of the Providence folk scene.

O.B. Howard, Motif Music Award winner Nate Cozzolino, Kevin Schlereth and Mouni will play the News Cafe in Pawtucket on June 3 at 8pm.