Josh Reichmann Oracle Band — Life Is Legal EP

In his previous life as a member of Tangiers, Toronto musician Josh Reichmann neatly rode the same post-Strokes-ian wave as a lot of garage punk bands of the early millennium. Now, back with his Josh Reichmann Oracle Band, Reichmann continues to show off his penchant for crystalline hooks and quirky pop sensibilities, albeit within the context of a less fuzzed, glam rock approach. Opening with the funk groove of "Great Shadows," Reichmann's vocals are undeniably Marc Bolan-esque and that bassline sounds like it basically leapt off the vinyl on T-Rex's Electric Warrior. Reichmann mixes saxophone and flute into his songwriting, and further explores some music styles he only hinted at in his Tangiers days — whether it be the reggae of "Ancient Bloody Paradise (I Miss You)" or tropicalia on "Believe In Souls." Brandishing a confidence to try anything a la Beck and the off-kilter aesthetic of David Byrne, Reichmann's return is refreshing and diverse, and one that indicates we might be hearing more from him in the future.

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