Customer Reviews

Ocean Blue

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For me, this album evokes the Summer of 1989. "Between Something and Nothing" was all over the good modern rock stations. I bought this CD and listened to it over and over again that Summer. It fit perfectly within my tastes at that moment -- The Cure, New Order, 'til Tuesday. This album sounds dated but, for me, in a good way. I rediscovered this record about a dozen years after I had last listened to it in the early '90s and it was like finding a stack of old photographs. These songs are from another time and place. It is hard for me to say whether this album would resonate for someone who wants to discover this band for the first time, but I think this music is worth a listen, especially with the way new bands are mining the '80s for material these days.

Back in April of 1990, I went to see The Ocean Blue in Kalamazoo, Michigan. My boyfriend at the time sent a letter to the band a few months before the concert (using the generic address on the back of the CD) and told them that we would be there and explained to them the significance "Love Song" had in our relationship. He wanted them to dedicate it to us at the show.

The first miracle is that the letter found its way to them at all as they were on tour at the time, and the second is that they took the time to actually do it. They opened the show with "Love Song" and dedicated it to us after it was done. I was completely shocked and overwhelmed.

Although it is close to 10 years later and, unfortunately, I don't know where that old boyfriend is anymore, that night will always come to mind as one that truly touched my heart. "Love Song" remains a favorite, and it always will. I want to send an overdue thanks to The Ocean Blue for their kindness in taking the time to respond in such a public way to a fans request, and for writing songs that mean so much to me.

This is one of the best records I have ever purchased. The Ocean Blue is not just a rock group, it is a state of mind. The Ocean Blue and their romantic, soft, dreamy melodies will take you into a different world. Ten years after its release this record sounds better than ever. We need more music like this.

If this band ever tours again, I will be there. I have so many fond memories of listening to their music during the early 90's. Our college town was always included on their tours, and it was quite the event to enjoy a beer, crisp autumn air and The Ocean Blue (remember when they toured with The Mighty Lemon Drops). I think that TOB intentionally released new CD's during the fall, what a combination!

This CD is fabulous, and their music gets even better with Cerulean and Beneath the Rhythm and Sound. I spent many hours looking out over a frigid campus and comtemplating life to these songs. David Schetzel is an unbelievable songwriter. Buy it! You won't be sorry.

One part The Smiths, one part New Order, one part Housemartins/The Beautiful South. . .but wait--this band hails from the American heartland. Melodic and atmospheric if a bit derivative and with a tendancy to worship at the altar of their English mentors, The Ocean Blue wears its (ostensibly subconscious) influences on its collective sleeve: they are friendly and want you to know. Even the best tracks (the fine "Frigid Winter Days" and the hit "Between Something And Nothing") really do recall those other bands (although much lighter in tone and without the lyrical depth), and yet The Ocean Blue sound so good they are easily forgiven. So listen without prejudice, heh heh.

Ocean Blue are one of the most under-rated bands in the world. This self-titled album is living proof of that. My favourite tune is A Familiar Face. If you are a fan of bands like James and The Sundays, you will love the sound of this!!!

This cd was about 20 years ahead of its time. I can still listen to it today and think its a fresh band on the college/alternative scene. Its to bad the band spends years in between making new stuff. Anyways, its in my top 25 of all time cd's of the Late 80's, early 90's timeframe.

The Ocean Blue didn't so much create their "sound" as they reintroduced the very ethereal style that so many groups from Bay Area in the 60's and early 70's had worked at.

This their first album is almost perfect in every way. At times they do sound a bit like Aztec Camera, but at other times it's a sound unique unto itself.

The lyrics are largely uplifting and poetic. The sound is dreamy and (the aforementioned) ethereal (think the theme music from Dharma and Greg). This is largely due to the great work of David Schetzel on guitar and vocals and Steve Lau on keyboards.

Between Something and Nothing is absolutely one of the best songs to come out of the 90's (and it came out in 1989!, but it's not like any other 1980's music you'll hear). Drifting, Falling is somewhat reminiscent of some of the lesser known tracks by Haircut 100, but holds its own. Each and every one of the great songs on this album has a unique sound that is bound to the whole of the album by the dreamy guitar and vocal work by Schetzel.

Haunting, Ethereal, Dreamy, and .....a must have!!!

Other reviewers have noted the obvious influences of The Smiths or Echo and the Bunnymen, but I think there's a lot more happening here. For instance, while 'Between Something and Nothing' sounds like it was lifted straight off 'Songs to Learn and Sing', tracks like 'Vanity Fair' sound like The Pretenders, while 'Drifting, Falling' sounds an awful lot like another criminally overlooked band, Haircut 100. Given all this, you could easily be forgiven for thinking that Ocean Blue must have been third rate hacks without an original thought amongst 'em, but you would be wrong. Don't take it so personally, I was wrong too!

Because this obscure outfit managed to blend all these influences together and develop a vibe that belongs to only them. It's not exactly new ground, but it does revisit that same ground with style; it's a feel-good vibe, too, one that slaps you on the back and assures you that everything's gonna be OK, and even if it ISN'T, well, then YOU at least will cover yourself in dusty glory by going down swinging as an example to all. It's a CD for lazy Saturday afternoons spent waxing your car in the shade, and for those rainy days that leave you feeling introspective and just sad enough to relish the pain. Prozac presented in Stereo for your edification, Ladies and Gents!

a much underrated 80's album.....but as one misinformed individual wrote..."another brit album from another brit band" "manchester sound" all faint praise indeed for a band that hails from hershey pa, not the uk