SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ONEIDA – EXPENSIVE AIR

ONEIDA
EXPENSIVE AIR
JOYFUL NOISE RECORDINGS

Oneida formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1997 and released their debut album, A Place Called El Shaddai’s that year. Since then, they have gone on to release 16 albums and several EPs/singles. Expensive Air, is their 17th album, and their first since 2022’s Success. Expensive Air is a fascinating album. It has all the trademark Oneida sounds and styles, but this album has a bit of a harder edge, with the band embracing some hard rock sound. It works, and as a result, Oneida opens up other doors and avenues and has come up with one of their strongest albums. The album is straight ahead rock with a toe in psychedelia and post punk.

The album opens with the blistering “Reasons To Hide”. “I’m beginning to think we should get undercover,” they sing, as there are a lot of reasons to hide away. It really sets the stage for the rest of the programme. “Spill” continues in the same vein, while “La Plage” finds the band tipping their collective hat to Wire but done in Oneida’s distinct style. Oneida delves into harder rock throughout the album. But there is always an undercurrent of experimental sounds that continually make the album interesting.

“Stranger” is a good example of the band turning standard rock on its side. The use of synthesizers and the constant drumming creates an unsettling feeling, in the same way early Gang Of Four records created that feeling. Again, Oneida is not copying, but they are seemingly influenced by that sound. The songs are quite melodic, and each song is layered with different sounds and instruments. It makes for a fascinating listening experience.

There are no ballads or reprieve from the thundering sound, until the very end. Expensive Air ends with the very dramatic and wonderful “Gunboats”. This epic starts with a very reserved sound but builds throughout. Once again, the build up creates an uneasy listening experience, and the listener is waiting for something. The song is the most psychedelic song on the album. It is reminiscent of older Oneida songs, and it is the perfect closing track. It is a slow burn song that leaves the listener wanting more.

Expensive Air is a brilliant album. It proves that Oneida has a great deal of bite to them, and they have a great deal to say about the current state of the world. They are not forcing an agenda onto the listener, but they do have opinions about what they see, and they set these thoughts to hard driving and extremely interesting music. Once again, the band has created an original and outstanding album.

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