Otti Albietz - Bubby Tone II

  by Lisa Torem

published: 18 / 9 / 2013

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Review

Otti Albietz, from Malaga, Spain, collected many stories while travelling across Europe and before finally settling in England. He spent five years in different bands and in 2011 released his debut 'One'. Now on his follow-up, 'Bubby Tone II', the singer-songwriter, whose influences are as far flung as Hendrix, Debussy and Coltrane, communes with his acoustic guitar and reaches out honestly and simply with a dozen lo-fi tracks. Albietz's album begins with 'Structure Repeats' and 'Who Are The Wishful.' The form of the first is solid and alluring, the second is packed with bright wishes and an engaging sense of optimism. 'If You're Listening' features gentle piano and a litany of solid images: "Take all the rivers and make them into rain/Take all the mountains and make them into sand." 'Times Time' captivates because of the cunning way Albietz jostles with actual time. 'The Life We've Led So Far', which is far more jangly, brightens our sense and gives us the space to appreciate the sharp strings and wild rhythms of 'Tell Them I Was Here.' The ballad is philosophical also bittersweet: "If our lives were to end right now/Our hearts and stories will love longer than that." Albietz not only has a sensuous voice that draws us in, he creates a sense of apprehension in: 'Waking Up the Dead' - "Holding up to the water's edge!" and 'She's The Earth,' with its creeping melody and jolting solo of odd sound bytes, which provides a proper platform upon which he can rant: "There's violence in England and the world," leaving us to struggle with the aftermath. Overall, Albietz, on 'Bubby Tone II', with producer Harvey Summers (Danny Thompson, Paul McCartney) triggers a sense of loneliness, belonging and hopefulness within the time frame of a breath using the simplest of tools: an earnest voice, cinematic lyrics and an open heart.

Track Listing:-

1 Structure Repeats
2 Who Are The Wishful
3 If You're Listening
4 Times Time
5 The Life We've Led So Far
6 Tell Them I Was Here
7 Lighting Bolts (In LIttle Ships)
8 Amazing Life
9 Waking Up The Dead
10 The Others Are Identical
11 Shes The Earth
12 The Best Thing Ever (Love Will Repeat)

Band Links:-

https://otti.bandcamp.com/album/one
https://www.facebook.com/Otti-Albietz-
https://twitter.com/ottisolo

Label Links:-

https://instagram.com/bbemusic/
http://www.bbemusic.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/bbemusic
https://www.facebook.com/bbemusic
https://twitter.com/bbemusic