Oz Davidson

Rating: 4/5 Stars

The second track on Oz Davidson's EP "Debt" (entitled: "Co-Signer") opens up with a slew of excuses for his poor Co-Signer.... singing plainly: "co-signer, did I ruin your name? I got homesick, I got allergic...". As the track progresses we are treated to some quirky vocal layering and overall really clever songwriting.

The track "It's Alright It's Okay (2008 demo)" we here a rougher take on Davidson's style, but the heavily effected grungy recording sound still manages to be somewhat intimate through his honesty filter. A real sincerity can be heard in this particular track- sounding somewhat similar to the really early recordings of Devendra Banhart.

"Debt" is a great album in that it succeeds in taking what may be considered menial little life intricacies, putting them to song, and thereby transitioning them into grand emotional narratives. Davidson is also good at working with big feelings and small feelings, and mixing them in the same pot. Also the last 25 second track on the EP is kind of the best ending I've ever heard on an album.

"Debt" by Oz Davidson is available via his Bandcamp page. - Cincinatti Examiner

Oz Davidson’s “Growers and Showers” single is a promising if somewhat ramshackle track, full of personality in its Unicorns-like riffing and Davidson’s charming, twangy voice, which has a touch of Devendra Banhart to it. Though it’s anchored by a looping, repetitive beat, Davidson’s guitar playing is full of energy and surprising shifts, flashy without being masturbatory, gifted without coming across as smug. Davidson is confident enough in his singing and playing to put both at the forefront, avoiding the breathy sentimentality and quaintness that holds even some of the best known Austin folk acts back; it’s not often that a singer-songwriter comes along who can double as a guitar hero, and Davidson’s double tracked guitar makes it clear he’s a tour de force. On “Growers and Showers,” Davidson also doesn’t take himself too seriously, with his lyrics going the route not of the melodramatic murder ballad or gimmicky retro theatrics but instead delivering clever wordplay and self-awareness. Better production and the right band could make Davidson an artist to look out for. - overld.com

Oz Davidson/Lands Bejeweled

Moore, Oklahoma’s Oz Davidson writes some of the most likable songs to emerge from the music scene. One never comes away from a set feeling bored, tired or indifferent, rather piqued and chill. His lyrics manage to think and relax. He is one of the sleeper picks of the festival.

He’s studied an array of songs before coming into his own:

“I’ve been attempting to write songs for about 12 years,” Oz says. “The first ones were exercises in style because all I could do was mimic – so I had a Belle and Sebastian sounding song, a Merle Haggard one, etc.”

Davidson’s low-key, humble cool offers more of an entry point into the songs than his stylistic forebears (Lou Reed a bit in the sing-talk, Neutral Milk Hotel and Cass McCombs in fluid creative imagery). Most strikingly, Davidson’s songs don’t stew around in hardship or ennui, but instead move into a winning kind of slacker journey. He sings on “One for the Tramps:” “I guess I’ll just have to draw my wages and consult my local sages/ and tear out all the Torah pages…I’m walking alone at night/ I’m singing in a key so right/ Tattoo’d pupils on my eyes.”

“I’m always writing about transcendence,” Oz says. “It’s pretty much all of the songs we play are about transcending something, like a bad job or rent, or irony. ‘One For the Tramps’ is kind of a little street urchin with like three or four cowlicks and bad jeans. He’s kind of a dumb kid who’s always got a big grin on his face; he’s constantly ignored on the street. But he’s a transcender.”

“Heatstroke” is another strong tune, especially hearing it roll across a popping $2 drum set in a quiet bar. It’s lo-fi you can dance to, with very slim and tight solos fitting in like a Strokes line, and solid repetition.

–DM - OKC.net

Listening to Lands Bejeweled Falls somewhere between a summer drive in the country ending with a cook out, to flipping through an old year book; reading all the old notes left by ancient friends and selfish forgotten faces all telling you not to change. You’ve changed. Lands is formed of two curious Oklahoman souls – front man and singer Oz Davidson, a part time plumber and life time film maker with a love of John Hughes, flicks like Local Hero, Julian Donkey Boy, and Hobojungle, and fan proclaimed “best drummer in America”, Matthew Kidder. Lands Bejeweled is a very rare type of musical endeavor. There songs all in their own ways sprinkle ultra cool garage rock with honest and sentimental themes, lyrics, and melodies. When listening one may be reminded of bands like Miracle Legion, Polaris and even sometimes early R.E.M. Davidson’s lyrics are full of charm, innocence; sometimes even brilliant unintelligible babble, like on I Can’t Dance.

Sonically Lands Bejeweled sounds as if it’s constantly moves back and forth from garages, to bedrooms, backyards, cookouts and cafes. While they make it work, sometimes its hard to tell whether the low fidelity qualities of their recordings are intentional, or a product of there situations. this usually adds to the bands excitement. There’s no worry if the highs are blown out, no hiding under to many effects; just songs. It’s raw and refreshing. This is literally music made in a garage, and not for genres sake. The amount of sentiment that Davidson put in his lyrics is bold. He’s not afraid to tell you about his worries, his sad days and playful childhood memories. Davidson just wants you to hear his songs. He’s had an interesting life and he wants you to know. He’s cracked some ribs on the job? Song. Pete & Pete nostalgia? Song. Northern Exposure…?

Sometimes it’s even possible to look at Lands as a John Hughes flick. Davidson puts the same playfulness and hip attitude that Hughes put into his stories. There’s the jokes, love stories, and a nostalgic feel and seriousness that Hughes is known for. Davidson makes it work very well in song form; so well that it’s surprising a few unnamed contemporary musicians can’t come down off their fakes pampered pedestals, admit they are really just corporate slaves, plumbers, or retail phonies, and just have some god damn fun after their 9-5 is over. Their song It’s All right, It’s Okay pays homage to the famous cult classic American Movie, a documentary about a struggling Midwestern film maker. One scene has the protagonist of the film trying to get his semi senile Uncle Bill to recite the line: “It’s all right, it’s okay. There’s something to live for”. Davidson turns an impossible line for Uncle Bill to say and blends it into a beautifully crafted and personal chorus. Lands Bejeweled is truly a working mans band and in the end is just trying to have some serious sentimental fun. Be it John Hughes, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Uncle Bill, or any feel good childhood memory; make a tape, CD, mini disc, or load your iPod with some Lands Bejeweled. Get in your car, pretend Artie (the strongest man it the world!) is right by your side. Drive off to a barbecue and have a good time. In November, Davidson and Kidder will take some time off their 9-5′s and head down to Austin to record an EP. - Sick of the Radio