Customer Reviews

Over the Counter Culture

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I bought this album - yes I spent the money on the import - on the recommendation of a record store clerk on Sunset in Hollywood, after asking her if she had heard Razorlight. And while I hated paying $25 for any CD, I am glad I did because these guys are terrific. Something like The Squeeze meets the Jam meets later Madness. Great vocals and horns, positive and up tempo, solid all the way around. They're not as raw nor emotional as Razorlight but I've got plenty of room in my CD player for a band like The Ordinary Boys.

As of this review, there is NO domestic release date, and that is real shame. Over the Counter Culture is a brilliant slice of britpop/rock at it's finest. Spawning at least 4 singles over in the UK, The Ordinary Boys have put together a fine debut, chock full of great riffs, melodies and all sing-a-longs. Upon first listen, one will instantly hear what I believe is the biggest influence... THE JAM. Tracks like Seaside, Talk Talk Talk and Just a Song, are pretty much right out of Paul Weller's songbook. But all this does not take away from their own unique energy they bring to the record, they have enough ammo to equip 4 or 5 records worth, and the Jam comparisions from me are nothing but affectionate.

My favorite tracks are Just a Song, Seaside, In Awe of the Aweful and Little B*tch. The latter sounds very ska-punk influenced (after all the original is by The Specials), but it trips along with such melody and pace, one can't help just to have fun with it. This debut is in the long line of hot-tipped, Brit debuts that zines like NME drool all over for about a week or so. This time, as with a lot of stuff from this year, they get it right, The drooling is definitely deserved. The lack of filler on this record makes this one for the long haul. Now if we could only get it domestically?!?

If there's one record I suggest you go buy this year, it has to be this great effort from The Ordinary Boys. The entire album is mint, but tracks like "Little B****", "Talk Talk Talk" and "Maybe Someday" will have you listening over and over again. What's interesting is that they seem to have thier own unique sound, you'll find it really hard to find a similar artist.

In short, this album is well worth the money! Go buy it!

After hearing the "Maybe Someday" single tracks, it seemed this band could go down a "good" road or a "bad" road. Fortunately, The Ordinary Boys went down the path of good songwriting because this debut is excellent, albeit it is one of those records (like the way Franz Ferdinand debut was) that gets better with each listen. Initially, i was lukewarm about the record but after about 4 listens I think it's one of the better releases this year. Their sound is a clear mix of influences like The Jam and The Smiths (esp obvious on The List Goes On) Preston has a Paul Weller-esque style of songwriting on most tracks. If you are into mod style rock like The Kinks, Jam, The Who, Small Faces, and even Britpop like Blur, Menswear etc you will really like this CD. 11 of the 12 songs are uptempo fast tunes with one power-ballad that is a good song in its own as well. I've heard they are awesome live so hopefully they will come to USA for a tour.