Across three albums and a smattering of singles, Atlanta trio Omni have crafted a strain of minimalist post-punk that sounds both jittery and self-assured. That tension continues on Vague Enough To Satisfy, the debut solo LP from frontman Philip Frobos, which also serves as the soundtrack to his semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.
“Never Noticed” strips down to the album’s essential ingredients with wandering guitar riffs, subdued vocals, and an echoing drum machine pulse in 3/4 time. Drawing on his novel’s themes of the romantic and mundane details in the life of a traveling musician, its video finds Frobos working behind the bar with a sly grin on his face. Part cocktail recipe and part short film, the musician describes it as “a love letter to the Atlanta bar scene and all the friends I’ve made popping in here and there for tiny, special conversations in the wee hours.”
“This song was my first waltz – no time like the present!” Frobos continues in an emailed statement to Ears to Feed. “The song sees a friend in pain, in need of care, numbing, and attention – wanting to give them whatever they need to help, but knowing there’s a limit. It takes place at the infamous Octopus Bar, where I used to work, starring Kellie Thorn and Kenneth Figueroa. Kellie even wrote a cocktail for the novel and video entitled Saturn Return. See the video for the process and recipe. Enjoy!”
Vague Enough To Satisfy (the album) is available to pre-order from Upset The Rhythm.
Vague Enough To Satisfy (the book) is available to pre-order from Hex Enduction.