The album kicks off on the harder side of that equation, with Scott's full-throated scream announcing, “I ain't no rag!!” From there, we detour into the widescreen rock stomp of “Blood In the Sand,” and on into the album's stylistic potpourri, all held together by Scott's voice, which can both carry his rich melodies or group harmonies, and explode into urgent growls and yelps when needed.
In our recent tribute to Memphis songwriters, Greg Cartwright singled out one local bard who single-handedly inspired him to a higher level of songwriting: Jack Oblivian. And that nod to his writing is borne out not only by his contributions to the Compulsive Gamblers and the Oblivians, but in his solo work. His streak of great songs continues unabated with this year's spring release, Lost Weekend (Black & Wyatt), credited to Jack Oblivian & the Dream Killers.
Opossums' self-titled debut is being released by Black and Wyatt Records on glorious vinyl (and digital streaming and download), with a release show at B-Side on Friday, July 26th. Dennis Black and Robert Wyatt, pediatricians who met at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and bonded over a mutual love of music, head the label, which specializes in plumbing the depths of the Memphis underground scene.
