Over the Counter Culture [IMPORT]

The Ordinary Boys

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 12, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 17, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Warner Classics UK
• ASIN: B0002C9TY4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #226,855 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Libertines have the mythology, Razorlight have the attitude but only one new band in Britain have the songs. The Ordinary Boys stunning debut ‘Over The Counter Culture’ is a glorious amalgamation of 80s indie and mod sharpness owing equal debt to The Smiths and The Jam yet still retaining a winning originality. WEA. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Eh., June 22, 2005

By	M. Eliot - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this CD after hearing "Seaside," which is a fantastic single. For that song, yes, the praise and comparisons others are raising here are quite appropriate. But....

Well, to my ears the rest of the CD is indeed quite ordinary. I just couldn't get into it. The hooks just aren't there, the lyrics are awkward at best, and nothing stands out.

So if you can buy "Seaside" as a single, do it. But I wouldn't recommend getting the CD, particularly at import price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carrying the Britpop torch.., September 10, 2004

By	Get Smart (West Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Over the Counter Culture (Audio CD)

A really good, catchy, solid record by UKs Ordinary Boys. Admittedly, it took a couple listens to really get into this, but once i did, i find that it is one of the best records i have bought this year. Taking the name from a Morrissey song, it's no wonder there is an obvious Smith's influence to several songs (esp track 2 which completely sounds like a Smiths ripoff, which isnt necessarily a bad thing). There is mostly a very Paul Weller-Jam-period sound which makes this record one of the best modern Britpop discs in a long time. Catchy power pop tunes with enough crunch so they don't sound wimpy. All of the tracks except for 1 ballad (in itself a good song) are uptempo fast tunes including a (i think) newer version of their single Maybe Someday. They also play a great high energy cover of The Specials "little Bitch". Tthe Ordinary Boys are carrying the banner for modern day mod/suedehead fellows, and doing a very good job at it.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ordinary and Entertaining, December 19, 2004

By	WrtnWrd "Hankman" (Northridge, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Named after a Morrissey track, The Ordinary Boys couldn't sound less like Moz or the Smiths (except when they steal the riff of "What Difference Does It Make"). Their straight up Brit rock on Over the Counter Culture falls between The Libertines and Feeder, with roots in The Specials (whom they cover with a rollicking version of "Little Bitch"). The songs of singer Preston and guitarist William J. Brown are overly concerned with bucking the status quo (to name only two of seven: the title track and "Robots and Monkeys"), which might be more effective if their own music weren't such a showcase of English top-of-the-pops. Yet their words convey their meaning with simplicity - a feat in any of the arts - and they are pretty catchy boys. Not essential by any means, but entertaining nonetheless.