Lawrence.com

With its third proper full-length, "Elephantoms," KC's OK Jones ups the rock ante with more energy, more hooks and a suprisingly full sound for a three-piece. Gone is the pedal steel-and along with it, the band's former alt country edge-in favor of a profusion of keys by Nate Holt, lending this latest batch of tunes a decidedly experimental feel. Brian Adams' straight-up rock guitar still permeates the sound, though, and singer-songwriter Richard Gintowt's voice is still up front and center (though live he's seated behind the drum kit). Openers The Republic Tigers pack an "Orange and Black Attack" of rhythmically intricate and exceedingly hummable pop songs adorned with synths, harmonies, drum programming and multiple guitarists and vocalists. Fronted by singer/songwriter Kenn Jankowski (formerly of The Golden Republic), the six-piece band is currently shopping a nine-song demo collection that sounds as slick as anything on the proper marketplace.Shhh is an area pop/rock project comprised of former members of The Billions and The Ice Cream Sandwiches. The band's debut release "Leviathan" packs oodles of glockenspiel-tinted catchiness and sunny optimism whilst chumming the oceans of spacey guitar effects and vintage drum machines.