Customer Reviews

Moseley Shoals

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When i first got this cd, I initially thought I had wasted a few dimes. But when I really listened to it, I found myself thinking of a concert with OCS and Kula Shaker together, and George, John, Paul and Ringo standing on the side of the stage saying YES!!!!!!!!! This is where we wanted you all to go! So few went, even fewer did it well, But OCS and Kula Shaker did it the best.

This is excellent music.

Granted that folks might review this record as a rehash of old psychedelia, but then again...are there any bands out there that can do it this good? This CD is an orgy of sound that ranks up there with Pet Sounds. It's very "full". Every song is full of hooks and brilliant, yet basic, melodies. The "feel" is also great. It's as if you threw the Beatles, Small Faces, Allman Brothers and Nirvana into a pot, cooked it and served it. It sounds very human made, which is what the record industry could use in this time of sugary 'safe as milk' garbage that rides the airwaves. I can't say enough how great this album is with songs like "You've Got It Bad" and "Get Away" where the overall effect is well thought and not boring in the least. If you're here in the first place, then you should get Mosely Shoals. This is music for the upbeat and intelligent mind who has respect for good rock music. Long live Ocean Colour Scene. Anyone who buys this and gives it a not so good review is just not listening.

In 1996 I was just getting initiated into the British rock scene that was happening in the mid to late '90s. I was an enormous fan of the whole '60s British Invasion bands already and thought there just might be new life in music when I became a fan of Blur a year earlier. I'll never forget the phone call from my best friend...."Matt you've got to hear this new band from England...you're gonna love them!" On my quest to find bands that had some sort of REAL sound connection to their influences, Ocean Colour Scene was an incredible discovery. My best bud let me borrow his copy.

It's a shame that OCS never got their due in America. "Mossley Shoals" is an incredible album from start to finish! The album went to no.1 in England and it's easy to hear why. This is a real talent, no posing mix of The Animals, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Who, etc., etc., etc. But with all the throwback it's completely modern as well. The band gets a hand from noneother than the Ultimate '70s Mod himself Mr. Paul Weller. I can't say a whole lot about this record but that it's one of the best British rock records of the late '90s along with Oasis' "What's The Story.." and Blur's "Parklife." Please listen to the samples of this album and become a fan yourself. It certainly got me through the post-grunge period of the late '90s where the only thing teens wanted to hear was "Walkin On The Sun" by Smashmouth and "Fly" by Sugar Ray. It was good to know there were musicians out there that wanted to make real music the good old fashioned way.

OCS are one of the Brit_pop era bands that failed to get the recognition that their music deserved. Probably best known as the Gallagher brothers (Oasis) favourite band, they turn out fantastic tunes, interesting lyrics and musicianship far superior to many bands that have come out of England in the last few years. The lead singerhas a wonderful soulful voice that can be smooth for ballads and husky when upbeat. The Riverboat Song and The DAy We Caught the Train are OCS at their most popular. Thrilling guitars, stomping rock melodies and ahint of a sixties combine to produce genuine hits. The Circle, Policeman and Pirates and 40 past midnight see them at their songwriting best. This is a band capable of stunning beauty in the ballad and the best of rock and roll when they turn it on. Stunning live, one tip is a little known album called B-Sides, Seasides and Freerides- a collection of B_sides and unplugged tracks which is quite simply stunning. What a shme we don't know Oasis as Ocean Colour Scene's favourite band !

though "moseley shoals" is ocs' second album, it's nothing like their first, admittedly mediocre record. they have churned out an album that is decidedly traditional classic rock, refusing to incorporate repetitive "alternative" rock sounds. in fact, upon first listen, you might get the feeling that you've heard all these songs before, which might turn some listeners away. well, you probably haven't, but ocs shamelessly recreates that 60s-70s feeling like the black crowes or lenny kravitz. regardless, these guys do it so well. the songs are all great, catchy, and crafted to perfection, yet somehow maintain a very human touch. though the musicianship is really flawless, every song pours emotion from the heart. these guys truly enjoy what they do and it's hard to ignore such genuine happiness. songs like "the circle", "one for the road", and "get away" exemplify this most obviously. the only reason i hesitate to award this disc the overly-employed five stars is that it isn't one of those groundbreaking records that leaves an indelible mark on music. don't let that discourage you from listening to this record though as it's enjoyable from start to finish.

This album, which I found in a bargain San Diego CD store in 1996, changed the lives of me and a few of my musician friends. Its amalgamation of Traffic, BOC, The Jam, the Small Faces, the 'Oo and the Stones just drove us wild, especially the guitar stones, production and stark lyricism.

Few British pop groups have the ability to evoke the '60s idols without sounding overly nostalgic (i.e. Oasis) or overtly trendy (Blur aping Ray Davies). Tunes like "Day We Caught The Train", "Riverboat Song" and "You've Got It Bad" make for thrilling rock tracks, and there's a few stony slower numbers as well.

1996 was a great year in the UK. Football came 'home', the wind of change was in the air, and we had some great summer tunes. Along with all this came Mosley Shoals, and album that could not help but be an essential for the 90's, from a band who'd spent their years in the wilderness, and been written off. Classic British grooves with influences ranging from the Stones, to the Small Faces and the Who.

The killer opening three tracks was a virtual meoldy of the band's singles. The Riverboat Song played guests on the the entertainment show TFI Friday for 5 years, and is a jumped up rhyffing cry of attention to the listener. This is followed by crowd favourite, and undeniable OCS classic The Day We Caught the Train, still sung with heart by people today. The Circle was another jumped up summer tune featuring a nice bit of guitar work from band ally Paul Weller.

The rest of the album hardly ever wavered. From the smokey haze of Fleeting Mind, to the Beatlesy blues of Fourty Past Midnight. From the upbeat agression of You've Got It Bad, to the tender and beautiful The Downstream (up there in my estimation with the Stone's Wild Horses). Mixing upbeat drinking choruses in Get Up and Dance to epic outros in Get Away. Put all this together with the intriguing rock of Policeman and Pirates and you have an album that cannot fail to please on all levels.

The cover says 'Maximum Dimensional Sound', and that's what you get. Not just in the mix, but variation of tone, shade and temprament. the only thing that never varies is the quality, that's always high.

Bold, beautiful and uncompromising. The triumphant sound of a band who'd emerged into the spotlight that was rightly theirs!

Get Up and Dance to this!

Having grown up in England in the midst of the underground brit pop explosion i saw most of the bands of the era. Few, however, captured the mood of the time better the Ocean Colour Scene with moseley shoals. With additive riffs, gorgeous melodys and honest lyrics its not hard to see why. If your a fan of the brit pop of the 90's and bored of 'What's the story morning glory' then buy it. I guarantee you'll love it.

I normally write in depth reviews to justify an albums worth. But this album needs very little justification, all it needs is to be heard for any justification.

"The Riverboat Song", "The Day We Caught The Train", "The Circle" and "You've Got It Bad" all of them singles are reason enough for this albums status as the fan favourite. But "Fleeting Mind", "One For The Road", "It's My Shadow", "The Downstream" and "Get Away" backs the claim up even more.

Not forgetting "40 Past Midnight", "Policemen & Pirates" and the gorgeous "Lining Your Pockets".

Every song is a classic OCS song. On a classic album. It's worth it based solely on the singles, but to get 8 songs that are equally as commercial as the singles and also as well written and recorded I would jump on this album quickly!

Forget the Britpop battles of Blur and Oasis, Moasley Shoals is THE album of the 90's!

Mistaken by many as the First of the 'Scenes albums, it's actually their second. But one thing is for sure - its their best. It's not very often that you'll hear a polite word from the Gallagher brothers (of Oasis fame) but this is one of their favourite albums - The Scene supported in their early years.

You may not recognise the name, but you'll sure as hell recognise the music on this album - it's some of the most well known musical genious around. Great melodies, empowering lyrics, and some dammed fine tunes to boot! Everything from the sensational Riverboat song, to the rockin' Policeman and Pirates, oh, and the fantastic The Circle. There really is something for everyone on this one cd, yet it doesnt reek of the manufactured pop sound that is flooding the "music" scene just now. It's 7 years old, but who'd know?! If you like Moasley shoals, you might want to take a look at "songs from the front row" - their "best of" album. Its got a couple of tracks from this album on it, but some more stunning songs too!