The Sleepover at O'Leaver's, June 18, 2010.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Friday night boasted two CD release shows — the highlight of the weekend — and thanks to fortunate scheduling, I managed to catch parts of both.

The first was Lincoln band The Sleepover at O’Leaver’s. The four-piece, fronted by Cory Kibler, played spot-on versions of songs off their new CD Oceans of Ice, Island of Terror. Nice stuff. If there’s a quibble, it’s that Kibler seemed a bit vocally restrained, but maybe that’s his natural style. In last week’s CD review, I compared Kibler to Mark Kozelek and there were moments on O’Leaver’s non-stage that kept me from sounding like a liar, but Kibler’s timidity and the overall thinness in the vocal mix made the comparison a stretch most of the evening. Add to the quibble list Kibler’s guitar — I wonder if he could find it in his heart to rough up his rather formal guitar tone to something a bit more… dirty, or angry. The contrast between a feedback-drenched guitar and Kibler’s shy, mewing voice would be startling, and fun. And while I’m making suggestions, I’d love it if the band could take the leap and draw out a couple of the songs to extended-play length on stage. I guess I’m just trying to turn them into Red House Painters, which ain’t gonna happen.

Scott Severin and the Milton Burlesque at The Waiting Room, June 18, 2010.

I left before The Sleepover finished their set and headed across town to The Waiting Room (a longer drive than you think) to catch Scott Severin and The Milton Burlesque. Here again, I only caught part of their set because by the time I got there, Severin and his band of seasoned professionals were already on stage belting out songs from Birdhouse Obbligato. These guys sounded like they’d been playing these songs together for 30 years. Tight, heavy, completely on point. Despite all the press, the show only drew around 75 — very disappointing. Maybe there was something to that theory that the CWS would draw fans away from shows.

Listening to the band, it got me thinking that in addition taking the show on the road, The Milton Burlesque (just like The Filter Kings) would make the perfect house band in the right club, playing a couple nights a week every week for fans who just want to let go for a night of unpretentious blues-flavored rock. Is there a bar out there willing to give these guys a shot?

* * *

Tonight at The Waiting Room, it’s London-based four-piece One EskimO. They signed with Shangri-La last year — the record label run by a zillionaire that counts Monsters of Folk among its roster. They say they’re shoegaze, but really they’re just straight-up laid-back indie pop. Mitch Gettman opens. $12, 9 p.m.

* * *

Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2010 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.