THE OCEAN BLUE - Cerulean
Writing accessible pop with a subversive edge is tricky. A handful of artists (Steely Dan and Randy Newman, for example) have managed to pull it off successfully throughout their careers, often with such deftness that you barely notice the satirical leer underneath the words.
Could there be another argument that writing innocent and wistful pop, free of cynicism yet also free of saccharine, is equally as challenging? Many bands fall under the unfortunate banner of "twee" when attempting this or write 60s bubblegum songs in the vein of The Archies. Surely there must be some exceptions....
Perhaps it requires a bit of youthful vigour. The Ocean Blue (hailing from Pensylanvia U.S), enjoyed a mild amount of homeland success when they had barely graduated from high school, after releasing their debut self-titled album in 1989. This was due in no small part to their heavily British-inflected jangly sound, as UK groups of this ilk were a considerable influence on the American college rock scene at the time. Little wonder then, that many listeners were surprised to discover they weren't British. But despite the naive charm and strong hooks of the debut, they had matured a bit two years on by the time of their second album, the majestic Cerulean. It's a far less derivative, less dated effort.
The shimmering 'Ballerina Out of Control' is an exercise in chiming three-minute pop mastery, an American indie classic every bit the equal of 'There She Goes' by The La's or 'Bizarre Love Triangle' by New Order. The instrumentation is so sparse it's almost jarring upon first listen but repeated listens reveal its potency. It's a song so effortless and weightless it floats off the speakers. Or off your headphones. Did I mention this is a perfect headphones album?
Other highlights include 'When Life Was Easy', a yearning for simpler times but without a hint of angst or self-pity. It's just what it is, a piece of nostalgia performed and written with sincerity. And yet, I struggle to think of many other bands who have written songs like this without belabouring the point.
The final song is called 'I've Sung One Too Many Songs For A Crowd That Didn't Want To Hear' and belongs in the ranks of Greatest Extended Song Titles list. It just so happens to be a great tune as well.
Strong melodies and crystalline guitars are The Ocean Blue's butter and bread, so the lyrics seem like a bit of an after-thought. Many might find the American wholesomeness of singer/guitarist David Schelzel's words a bit cloying. I find only 'Questions of Travel' and 'Marigold' grate slightly with lines that stray a little too close to Hallmark territory ("Pockets full of posies" and "Swiss alps in the snow" should give you some idea of what to expect).
It's somewhat ironic that an American band release such a sunny, optimistic pop album in the year of grunge and an increase in flannelette shirt sales. They would not have sounded more out of place. In a way, they still do sound out of place. Cerulean is a collection of 12 blissful guitar pop songs and nothing more. Why can't it always be that simple?
-AMCS
Writing accessible pop with a subversive edge is tricky. A handful of artists (Steely Dan and Randy Newman, for example) have managed to pull it off successfully throughout their careers, often with such deftness that you barely notice the satirical leer underneath the words.
Could there be another argument that writing innocent and wistful pop, free of cynicism yet also free of saccharine, is equally as challenging? Many bands fall under the unfortunate banner of "twee" when attempting this or write 60s bubblegum songs in the vein of The Archies. Surely there must be some exceptions....
Perhaps it requires a bit of youthful vigour. The Ocean Blue (hailing from Pensylanvia U.S), enjoyed a mild amount of homeland success when they had barely graduated from high school, after releasing their debut self-titled album in 1989. This was due in no small part to their heavily British-inflected jangly sound, as UK groups of this ilk were a considerable influence on the American college rock scene at the time. Little wonder then, that many listeners were surprised to discover they weren't British. But despite the naive charm and strong hooks of the debut, they had matured a bit two years on by the time of their second album, the majestic Cerulean. It's a far less derivative, less dated effort.
The shimmering 'Ballerina Out of Control' is an exercise in chiming three-minute pop mastery, an American indie classic every bit the equal of 'There She Goes' by The La's or 'Bizarre Love Triangle' by New Order. The instrumentation is so sparse it's almost jarring upon first listen but repeated listens reveal its potency. It's a song so effortless and weightless it floats off the speakers. Or off your headphones. Did I mention this is a perfect headphones album?
Other highlights include 'When Life Was Easy', a yearning for simpler times but without a hint of angst or self-pity. It's just what it is, a piece of nostalgia performed and written with sincerity. And yet, I struggle to think of many other bands who have written songs like this without belabouring the point.
The final song is called 'I've Sung One Too Many Songs For A Crowd That Didn't Want To Hear' and belongs in the ranks of Greatest Extended Song Titles list. It just so happens to be a great tune as well.
Strong melodies and crystalline guitars are The Ocean Blue's butter and bread, so the lyrics seem like a bit of an after-thought. Many might find the American wholesomeness of singer/guitarist David Schelzel's words a bit cloying. I find only 'Questions of Travel' and 'Marigold' grate slightly with lines that stray a little too close to Hallmark territory ("Pockets full of posies" and "Swiss alps in the snow" should give you some idea of what to expect).
It's somewhat ironic that an American band release such a sunny, optimistic pop album in the year of grunge and an increase in flannelette shirt sales. They would not have sounded more out of place. In a way, they still do sound out of place. Cerulean is a collection of 12 blissful guitar pop songs and nothing more. Why can't it always be that simple?
-AMCS
Survive in the Shallows (2008)
Fires, Floods and Boredom (2006)
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