earBuzz Review: Songwriting prowess is a gift. And the best have been influenced by the artistic greats - Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John - singer songwriters who magically string together lyrics and melody, with a delivery that at once penetrates on an intimate and personally relating level while passing on wisdom along the way. The Brothers Dimm are certainly on their way to keeping in that tradition with their dozen-song release, ""To...Oblivion"". The song, ""Probably Wrong"", is a near perfect and self-defacing tune of love and doubt that begins with gorgeous instrumental guitar/mandolin. Lyrics fatefully encompass thoughtful self-esteem problems with an easy conclusion of being 'probably wrong'. Along the lines of Sting's ""it's probably me"" - there is a wonderful connection between the artist and listener when the artist isn't perfect. .or wise. .or full of confidence. The title track, ""To Oblivion"", starts off with rolling melodic content as the verse leads to the seamless chorus and title. .to oblivion. The phrase articulated much the way we'd probably hear XTC do it. Track 3 is a game-show keyboard-joy with horn section and pop sense in ""Too Busy Shopping"". Track 5, ""Guardian Angel"", gives us glimpses of John and Paul in a wonderful half-diminished change, 'what do you think you're doing, staggering in at 4am, guardian angel'. The most ambitious music number comes at the end of many records - and there is no exception here. ""Breaking up the Act"", is a breath of musical space as pop is set aside for jazz piano and samba-ish rhythms that jet us into a dark nightclub atmosphere. The final track, ""Uncertainty"" is about doubts - yet there is lyrical empowerment here, 'i know this, i wasn't made for lies, i wasn't meant to hurt, i wasn't born to hate'. The Brothers Dimm have all the ingredients of a long-lasting artistic union and we look forward to more.

Probably Wrong

Alternative Pop

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