Customer Reviews

Davy Jones Locker

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been trying to get this CD for quite some time, and now, thanks to Amazon, I possess it. And it was worth the wait! I must say I was a little disenchanted with 'See', but with Davy Jones' Locker, it is gone. Oed Ronne's contribution on this CD is a positive one. He adds a complementary dimension to an already great group of musicians. I can't really put my finger on a favorite tune, but I would have to say Garden Song, Been down a lot Lately, Cake and Do You Still... stand out. Cukaloris and Consolation Prize remind me of 60's surf tunes and include great guitar work. Ocean Blue deserves much more recognition than they have received so far.

A majestic, fulfilling, nostalgic piece of work. Wonderfully crafted and executed...you can smell the salt on your skin and feel the breezes off the shore. That's what I've always loved about The Ocean Blue - they really invoke a perfect feeling from their music. These songs crest with maturity, and leave you wanting more. The Denmark ep is also excellent. Highlights include: Ayn; Been Down a lot Lately; Bottle Yours; It Never, Just Might. I recommend this work to anyone who enjoys downcast eyes and a sad kind of smile when they're walking along with their headphones on...romantic and full of hope.

With their fifth album, Davy Jones' Locker, The Ocean Blue prove once again that they are one of the best bands around and still quite capable of recording incredible music. With their previous releases The Ocean Blue have displayed the ability to record soft, dreamy melodies that always evoke an emotion and never sound dated. Davy Jones' Locker continues this trend.

Being a long time Ocean Blue fan, I was afraid that the band would call it quits when, after their fourth record, their record label collapsed. Instead, and much to my delight, TOB independently recorded and released Davy Jones' Locker in 1999. I've been listening to this CD since Christmas of '99 and it still sounds as fresh as the first day I popped it in the CD player. With a new label, 13 brand new tracks, and a sound reminiscent of their first three releases, this CD will surely be one of the best releases of 2001. I only hope that with all of the garbage dominating the musical scene The Ocean Blue will somehow manage to get some airplay. They most certainly are deserved of success.

All of the tracks are good. But, several are exquisite. Denmark, the new single, is an incredibly atmospheric song. Ocean Blue at its best. Cukaloris, an instrumental, is also very good. On this CD Oed Ronne writes and sings a couple of songs. This turns out to be a very pleasant surprise. Been Down a Lot Lately is one sung by Ronne and it is one of the highlights of the CD. This Ocean Blue recording is a must for the Ocean Blue fans out there. Also, if you like The Ocean Blue you may want to go to Amazon.co.uk and order the Denmark EP. This EP contains four songs, three of which are not on the CD. It's a great little EP.

TOB have another gem on their hands. Full of shimmering delicate songs that one would expect.

I'm really glad to see other members singing. Drummer Rob Minnig's "Been Down a Lot Lately" is actually my favorite song on the CD. Oed Ronne's "Consolation Prize" is a class act as well.

"Ayn", "Denmark" and "Cake" sparkle. The breezy instrumental "Cukaloris" is top notch.

Why on earth TOB aren't wider known has always puzzled me. Treat your ears.

This is a very good Ocean Blue album. Sonically, it is a return to the classic sound of the the first two albums, though I still miss the keyboards and sax of Steve. David Shelzel's song writing is great. The best tracks are the first three "Ayn" "Garden Song" and "Denmark", but I enjoy all of his songs on the album. The only real problem with this album is that 3 weaker songs, 2 by Oed, and 1 by Rob, are stuck right in the middle. As on the previous album "See The Ocean Blue", Oed's songwriting and singing ability strike me as amaturish. I can't help but wish he wasn't in the band (why replace a keyboardist with a guitarist?) Rob's song "Been Down A Lot Lately" is actually pretty cool, though it doesn't sound at all like The Ocean Blue. I would have preferred it placed at the end as a hidden or bonus track. I also highly recommend the three other Shelzel tracks found on the "Denmark" and "Ayn" ep's, and they would have been great inclusions on this album instead of Oed's tracks. This album has really grown on me since I bought it last spring. I would rank it as their third best, behind the sublime "Beneath the Rhythm and Sound" and "Cerulean".

DJL is a fantastic TOB release. The songs are well crafted, hooky, and dreamy. 'Cake' and 'Denmark' are absolutely beautiful and sublime! TOB are without a doubt, one of the best and underrated bands in America. If you like good music, get this and "Cerulean".

My version of this CD is missing the track I CAN'T SEE YOU because I purchased the independent release directly from the band before they signed with a label. Providing this March Records release didn't otherwise change much from my version, this is their most subdued and almost folksy release thus far. The songwriting and musicianship are excellent. The smooth tracks sung by Oed and Rob are refreshing breaks from David's sometimes-nasal vocals. While the synths have not returned and the drones are even missing at times, these are still lovely, pared-down melodies that are pure, unadulterated Ocean Blue. IT NEVER JUST MIGHT is the best track; BOTTLE YOURS, CAKE, MY BEST FRIEND are also favorites. Unlike most bands that began in the late 80's, the intrinsic, sincere character and sound of The Ocean Blue has worn time well.

After the last CD, See, I thought TOB was getting away from the sound that made them different from others. On this CD, they sound the TOB I grew up in college listening to. There really aren't any bad songs, and a lot of great ones. The best songs, in my opinion, are: "It Never, Just Might", "Ayn" and "Cake". These have that sound I have missed for years.

I saw them play a number of the new songs at Bowery Ballroom in New York the other night, and they were terrific--the only drawback was that they didn't play long enough. But Denmark is a lovely song, and Garden Song and My Best Friend were also fantastic. Because these songs are not easily categorizable, I imagine that they will never get played on the radio, which is just a shame--I keep meeting people who've never heard of Ocean Blue, and whenever I play the band for them, they always love the music. Anyway, I'm just immensely relieved that they're still making music. It's been so long since their last record--about five years, I think--that I was starting to wonder if they'd broken up....

I just wanted to correct an error from the previous review. The song "Been Down A Lot Lately" is not an Oed Ronne song. It was written and sung by Rob Minnig, the drummer, who I hope will grace us with more of his songs in the future. And by the way, the background vocals on that song sound an awful lot like Davy Jones of the Monkees. Hmm...

Also being a long time TOB fan myself, I must say that I am impressed with the cd, but I don't consider it their best. My fave is still "Beneath the Rhythm and Sound." However, I would highly recommend the cd not just for TOB fans but for anybody.

With their wonderful music and intelligent lyrics, I wish TOB would get the recognition and airplay they so deserve. If you want to listen to good quality music rather than the trash that is out there now, PLEASE listen to The Ocean Blue. You won't be disappointed.