Just about every mention of Bosnian Rainbows includes the fact that the band formed after the demise of guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s previous band, The Mars Volta. Which is to be expected, but it’s also kind of unfortunate — the Rainbows’ taut, shimmering Rock songs transcend whatever its four members (the band also includes singer Teresa Suarez, drummer/keyboardist Deantoni Parks and keyboardist/synth guru Nicci Kasper) might have been doing before uniting last fall.
The Texas-based band’s self-titled debut, which was released independently in late June, features 11 atmospheric songs marked by dreamy keyboards and Park’s sturdy rhythmic thrust. Suarez is a riveting frontlady, her expressive vocals conjuring Polly Jean Harvey and Siouxsie Sioux, the latter of which Rodriguez-Lopez confirms is a major influence. He has also name-checked usual suspects like Gang of Four, Can and Led Zeppelin, but there’s also a curious populist bent running through the band’s songs: Suarez previously fronted the Mexican Garage Punk outfit Le Butcherettes, while The Mars Volta’s proggy leanings led to wild excursions that seemingly went anywhere and everywhere, little of which is overly apparent here.
In fact, the ethereal “Turtle Neck” is but one of several tunes that would sit well on a John Hughes soundtrack — the song’s whimsical, vaguely romantic undercurrent is interrupted only briefly by one of Rodriguez-Lopez’s signature guitar freak-outs. Ultimately, Bosnian Rainbows feels like an intriguing first step, one that has yielded a series of inspired live shows and what looks to be a fruitful future.
BOSNIAN RAINBOWS play Tuesday, July 23 at Taft Theatre downtown. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.
