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Subatomic Pieces Hold Out For Science

      What is it with the Norman/Oklahoma City music scene? Is there some sort of mystical force in the mostly college-kid inhabited city that produces amazing musicians? Having been born and raised in Tulsa, I always thought I was so much more lucky and fortunate to have been brought up in the “cool” part of Oklahoma. At least as cool as one of the two major metropolises in the sleepy prairie state can be. But now, after hearing all the amazing bands that have came out of the central Oklahoma music scene, The Starlight Mints and Flaming Lips just to name a few, I feel pretty robbed. I guess I feel robbed of being able to be proud of my home-grown music selection. Ok, this is starting to sound like a bashing of the Tulsa music scene, and well, maybe it should be.

      Having moved to Los Angeles almost four years ago, I’ve been exposed to so many up and coming bands I feel nothing short of privileged, and in no way do The Subatomic Pieces pale in comparison to what I’ve heard in this hustling metropolis of California. In a word – they are amazing. Phenomenal musicians with a sound unlike anything I’ve heard before. The band consists mainly of four members: Chris Harris with his dreamy sexy vocals, Sethy McCarroll on his thunderous drums, Matt Fowler on beat-enriched bass, and Colin Ingersol on a variety expertly-played instruments.

      The album starts out with “Probe” a catchy tune with heavy guitar riffs and those sexy haunting vocals that leave you swaying in a dreamy trance-like state of bliss. The lyrics “It’s a dream, what a scene” are nothing short of appropriate for this mesmerizing tune. The album headliner “Hold Out For Science” is one melody I find myself signing out loud in the shower, at the top of lungs while driving to work, and even hymning to myself while making copies at work. “Shine” is a captivating song that reminds me of something Neil Young would have created in the early days of his awe-inspiring career. The guitar is sexy and prophetic and flows in streams of music magic.

      This is the bands first “real” CD release. They’ve put out a few self-released CD-R albums, over the last 8 years or so, but feel this is their first release that will make the band “a real entity”. The album is released on Little Mafia Records, and they will be hitting the road this month to tour throughout the summer. I suggest you do yourself a favor and check them out – either in person or online (http://www.subatomicpieces.com). Hopefully they’ll make a stop in Tulsa on their tour this summer and show that town a thing or two about what Okies can really do.

-Christine Beals 05/10/07