Customer Reviews

Wanderer

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Right now O.A.R. is the Dave Matthews Band of the Midwest. DMB started in Virgina...playing the local scene and growing a fan base through show-stopping performances and concert tape distribution. O.A.R., hailing from Ohio State is doing the same thing. Last week they released their record label debut "Risen." It sounds more professional than the other two previous albums, but I still love to throw in the moreless homemade "The Wanderer." This CD displays O.A.R.'s young, inexperienced side...hell, they created the CD provide the regulars with something to listen to. I have been listening to O.A.R. for almost two years now. Their new album is great, but get a good feel for O.A.R. first and find the roots of their beginnings. "The Wanderer" is an accomplishment not many 20-year old bands can claim...and it tells you something when you can put this CD on--in any situation--and just let it play through...listening to one great original song after another. In today's music industry, that is the most respectable things a band can accomplish.

Eat your hearts out NSYNC.

Great CD. It was an impulse buy that really paid off. The reviewer that called OAR the "Dave Matthews Band of the Midwest" got my interest enough to buy it. However, they have a sound that's truly their own. A great mix of Folk and Reggae, I love every song on the CD (except maybe "Black Rock", the only mediocre song on the album.) I highly recommend this to everybody, it has an appeal that's almost universal. I like it, my wife likes it, even my kids like it. However, my dog is indifferent. Plus it's a great conversation piece, you can be one of those guys who talk about music nobody's ever heard of.

My buddy in college gave me this CD. His friend had heard them at some bar at U of A, and bought a CD. This album is incredible. Now, the lyrics are not exactly deep...but they are catchy, recognizable, relatable sing- (shout-) along lyrics and girls love these songs, too. I had so, so, so many good nights listening to this CD getting absolutely tossed and singing as loud as I possibly could! Souls Aflame is a great album, too, but after that their more produced material (a lot of which is just rereleases of the first two album's tracks) kinda suck. They're weak sounding and poppy. Buy this CD and Souls Aflame. They're cheap. They're fun.

O.A.R.'s album The Wanderer was made basically on their own, before any labels started to take a look at them. Despite what you might hear, O.A.R has a very unique sound that uses elements of reggae, rock, and funk with uptempo rythyms that occasionally employ bongos or conga drums to make a collective noise that drive the songs, bounces along and encourages you to do the same. The lyrics, admittedly, are not the most creative (that would change on their future releases) but they are still good and very positive, which to me was a breath of fresh from a lot of crap clogging the airwaves. Marc's voice is also a positive, as he can booth croon and groove along with a true rock n roll rasp. The album flows well but (unlike another popular myth about O.A.R.) you can tell between the songs. Some of the best are (well I could list the whole album but I'll try not to) Missing Pieces, Crazy Game of Poker (the only song that got any airplay, but it's definitely awesome), Conquering Fools, Toy Store, About Mr. Brown. This album is perfect for partying or simply chilling by yourself. It suits all occasions and all tastes. I reccomend O.A.R. to all fans of Sublime, DMB, Guster, Dispatch, but basically fans of WELL-DONE rock n roll. So what are you waiting for? You've listened to me enough go let the MUSIC talk to you instead.

I have been an of a revolution fan forever and to see that other people like it too, it just gives you more of a reason to see what they are like and i swear you will fall in love with these boys. with a hint of marley, the classy sax, and marks spectacular voice, there is no way you wont be smiling.

I am going to have to disagree with the other reviewer who labeled OAR "punked-out ska." That just isn't the case. The one thing that really got me hooked on OAR was that they aren't just cookie-cutter; they don't throw lyrics at you about how they are amazing and they are so rich and get all the girls. Not only do their lyrics have meaning to them, but they're catchy and the beats are quite unique also. Although The Wanderer is not my favorite OAR album (I'd recommend Any Time Now, Souls Aflame, Risen, and then The Wanderer, in that order) it has some really amazing songs on it and is worth the money if you're looking to listen to something that will really get you going.

I first came across OAR the same way most OAR fans come across them: through word of mouth. Somehow this band caught fire with the college crowd, and I was singed in the process. At first blush, I flat out thought OAR sucked, especially musically. I play numerous instruments, write songs, and am in a band, so I know what good songwriting from the musical perspective is. Not that all good music is complicated or all complicated music good, but OAR progressions are VERY very simple and repetitive. Furthermore, they sound like a bad ska band gone unplugged (and I love ska). But before I go on, I just want to say that I still like OAR ALOT. The only reason I am harsh with them is because lots of college teeny boppers (college kids have their own brand of teeny pop all their own, but the britney principle is the same), compare them with the likes of Dave Matthews and that is not kosher. DMB is in a completely different class in all respects especially as musician (Come on, try playing "Hey Girl" and "Tripping Billies" on guitar, bass, and/or drums and tell me which is more difficult).
All that said. With this new album, "Risen", OAR lost a lot of what makes them appealing - their raw, grassroots, down to earth, these-guys-could-be-my-best-friends-playin-in-my-backyard character. It comes off as being very forced and very wimpy, the vigor is lost in the mix. However, lyrically, theyre still distinctively OAR (for better or worse). Don't buy this CD. Download the original versions of these songs if you can, and burn youre own mix if you want to get the true feel for this solid band. Oh yeah, and see them live!

I had my REVOLUTION a little over a year ago and have never let up. I was hanging out in downtown Dallas when we walked in front of a bar when OAR was playing. We heard it from the outside and just had to get in, we were able to weazel our way inside and all 5 of us were amazed. Unfourtunately we got in at the end of the show but we heard "Crazy Game of Poker" which is a classic. These guys are legit, I have been playing their CD's NON-STOP for a year now. I put away my binder of other CD's in my closet and the 3 OAR cd's are the only ones I touch. I cant really explain their sound other than its nothing like youve ever heard. I will ALWAYS be able to listen to this band, they never get old, unlike most of today's music. I have seen them in concert 3 times now and going in FEB. again when they come to Dallas. This is a pure music as you will find anywhere!!!

raspy voices but into rock n roll for sure -- these guys know how to entertain; they have a reggae feel to them but many of their songs are also jammed out; this band also contribute a very artistic talent in all their songs. just feel good music to jam to with some friends and some brewskies. buy it. love it.

The only comparison between the two is that they both tend to have long drawn out melodies. Whoever invented that analogy should be shot in the face. O.A.R. is amazing. If you actually know the band you will know that this entire C.D. was written and recorded while the band was still in HIGH SCHOOL! Blow your mind at all? Give the CD a listen and you'll be amazed. Don't judge on what you've read or the 30 second samples. Quite frankly if you have any interest in ska or reggae or jam bands, or just happy feel good musict actually listen to the band and I assure you will you will love it. Once you hear the CD, go see them live, they put on an amazing show