Customer Reviews

Waterworks

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was not the biggest fan of this band, but I do have a few of their records. Seeing that this was only an EP I picked it up on a lark, but was then surprised at my disappointed when it ended so abruptly.
While I had thought that The Ocean Blue were somewhat of a one trick pony (reverb, dated production, etc.) this release proves that the band has grown both as songwriters and as musicians. Like their past releases, each track here offers tangible atmosphere -But for Waterworks, add to that an updated sense of song structure and melody.
This could easily be a five star record had it been just 4 or 5 tracks longer. Still, if this is just a taste of what is to come, I'm back on board.

After not being too impressed with their first indie album, "DJL"...I was happy to hear that The Ocean Blue is back into good form using all the cool and dreamy guitar effects that we are used to hearing from their albums like Cerulean and Beneath the Rhythm and Sound.

Not a lot of people seem to like the instrumental, but I am pretty keen to it. I tend to like those short and ambient album intros that many artist insert into their albums. I heard in an interview that Dave learned how to use a recording program called, "Reason" and that track was basically him playing around and learning how to use it. He also claimed that he hadn't done much with synthesizers...although it does seem that he uses them on quite a few of his songs.

Pedestrian: My second favorite track after "Ticket to Wyoming" This song is pretty cool. I like the way the song outros rather than the beginning. I wish the entire song could have been as cool as the end of the song.

Golden Gate: This song is the only reason I didn't give this album 5 stars. I wasn't totally impressed with it...it does remind you the so-cal sound, but it is rather boring. I have seen them support this album a couple times and they are yet to play this track.

Ticket to Wyoming: ONe of the catchiest choruses ever on an Ocean Blue album. One good indicator of this song is that my wife likes it and she is not a fan of all the Ocean Blue's music. I like the use of the sweeping strings during the chorus. Oed Ronne's voice is obviously underused on the albums. He has an awesome voice! I like the line at the end of the song about "Wedding gown"...Ronne hits a good note with singing those words, bravo!

Sunshower: One of the surprises on this album. Another gem on this album that fits in perfectly with Ocean Blue's sound. My only criticism is that Oed Ronne sings this very much like Dave, so I wonder why he has to sing it at all? You might as well try to differ the sound a little bit. The organ pounding during the bridge of the song was great.

Northern Jetstream: Wow, what a cool song. Yes, it does seem that they are experimenting with some cool sampling equipment, but that is what makes new albums cool. Bands seem to be at their best when they throw new toys into the mix and they definitely did a good job with the new equipment. This is one of the rare Ocean Blue songs that you could blast in your car and just let it take you over. The whistles and bleeps of this song are very cool...it is a different type of sound than you are used to with Ocean Blue, but it also doesn't stray from what they are good at. I enjoy this song immensely!

If you are into down-tempo coolness and the So-Cal factor, this is the album for you! I love this band and I am eagerly awaiting their next album! Rock on!

This EP is simply fantastic and has me eager for their full release (sometime 2005). As a long time fan of TOB, I've enjoyed their distinct hallmark for well-crafted melodies. The harmonies and melodies are reminscent of 1960's "California" pop tunes. The guitar playing and music composition is the best that I've heard on any TOB album. It appears that Oed Ronne has really stepped up as a significant vocal talent for the group and takes the lead on two tunes, including Ticket to Wyoming. Ticket to Wyoming is a great song about getting away and starting over. The 60's retro pop sound/atmosphere (but still modern) coupled w/ Ronne's fabulous vocals makes me wonder why this song doesn't get any radio play. I highly recommend this EP to all TOB fans and those interested in becoming one. Listen to the music samples and I guarantee you'll be hooked.

I have been a big TOB fan since their Sublime hit in the early 90's. This latest release shows the band moving into a more late 60's paisley pop sound.

1. Fast Forward Reverse - A unnecessary 1:36 sec instrumental intro. Lush with strings, this sounds like a movie filler music. Why was this added to an EP ? Pleasant sounding enough tho.

2. Pedestrian - My favorite song off this cd. A mid-tempo dance track (think New Order, Electronic) with jaggly guitars and a nice rhythmn arrangement. Lead Vocalist David Schelzel is in fine vocal form here. I think he is got one of the best voices in alternative pop. Add to this a sunny California 60's power pop chorus , you end up with a commercially viable single release from this band.
I love this song, worth purchasing the cd for.

3. Golden Gate - The cd takes an unexpected turn in sound with this 60's retro number reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel/Polyphonic Spree/Scott Mckenzie-Are you going to San Francisco. David Schelzel harmonizes nicely with Orange Peels frontman Allen Clapp. A psychadelic trip down a California road complete with xylophone and David's favorite words La la La La.
Probably would be a good song to listen to if I was high.

THAT'S THE END OF THE DAVID SCHELZEL SONGS. OH NO !
Next up TOB sometimes lead vocalist Oed Ronne

4. Ticket to Wyoming - Plesant guitar pop but nothing outstanding vocally. I buy cd's for a particular vocalist...I really didnt want to hear Oed Ronne too. More Schelzel please. But this is one Oed's best TOB efforts since he joined the band in the late 90's.

5. Sunshower - Uptempo and fast jaggly pop reminiscent of the UK's Housemartins. I am liking this more with each listen.

6. The Northern Jetstream - An ambitious midtempo 7 minute plus folk/dance instrumental. Some doo doos thrown in. Someone just got a new synthesizer for Christmas. This is filler music.

TOB is releasing a new full length cd in 2005. With David hanging out in Minneapolis with alot of power pop bands, this Hershey , PA band's next release should be intresting to hear.

Pick up this cd for Pedestrian. Probably for true TOB fans. Check out their last full cd Davey Jone's Locker as well - a guitar pop gem.

There is a common conception, especially in indie rock, that goes something like this: a band forms; their creativity is at their apex; then the sign to an independent label and make a few incredible albums showcasing the raw and unadulterated brilliance of their art; later, however, they break through and become popular, landing on a major label, which provides them strong production; and finally many of their old fans lose interest citing as a reason either selling out or being over-produced. As an addition, the band may even have become washed up and doesn't really write well anymore. Granted, this is a common conception, but not necessarily an accurate one, although I can think of one example: Oasis, whose later non-Creation albums never really caught the ferocity of their first two. But the point is that few bands who stay around for the long term and who begin small and rise to the ranks rarely match their early work in quality or originality.

The Ocean Blue, however, are anomalous. Their very first recordings in Hershey notwithstanding The Ocean Blue jumped immediately into the majors (sire) and by their second album, the deservedly praised Cerulean, they became Americas answer to contemporary British music such as Lush, Pale Saints, Chapter House, and several others. In this regard, I would like to make the following argument: while the influences of The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cocteau Twins, and other 80's bands, ultimately, TOB is not an 80's band. They were thoroughly in keeping with early 90's shoegaze and 90's guitar-driven twee and indie-pop, particularly those bands from England on labels such as Creation and Sarah Records. TOB is unique, however, in that they mixed these styles with a light and accessible pop sound that was, and remains to be, optimistic and absolutely listenable. But my point here is that they started on majors and went back to indie labels, and did, really, what bands do when they do indie records in the beginning - they make raw, interesting, creative, and exciting music.

I had some reservations about this e.p. before hearing it. No doubt going from expensive production and label supported touring to finding a day job can be a real downer. But I believe their later work after See illustrates this bunch is the real deal. I don't see a real care or concern with fame and the accolades. What I do see, as this album illustrates, is passion for making indie pop, and, day job be dammed, music has to be made.

This e.p. is solid from beginning to end and showcases all that they can do, from ethereal instrumentals to tasty jangly pop music. It also shows that they are a band despite not living in close proximity to one another: Schelzel and Ronne both write and sing, and the songs still feel coherent and work together as a collection.

I don't care to take up each track but rather simply comment on the e.p. as a complete work, and as any complete work there will be standout tracks. One other peculiarity of The Ocean Blue is that every album they have done is good, but some songs are just so good they make the others take the back-seat. To some degree Waterworks has this problem, but I'll leave it to you to decide.

On the whole, HIGHLY recommended, and a new album is HIGHLY anticipated.

2007 version of The Ocean Blue is very familiar. Not much has changed and that my friends is a good thing! Sounding more like the Smiths on this album (if that's possible) they create a toe tapping good time. Track 5 "Sunshower" has become my new fav. Do yourself a favor and pick this up to complete your collection. I only gave it four stars due to the fact it is so very short but hay, a little Ocean Blue is better than none at all.

As a long time fan of Ocean Blue's previous albums Cerulean and Beneath the Rythm and Sound this album was a complete let down. The basic sound is there but song writing, and singing, is lacking. Out of six tracks on this album I found only two, Ticket to Wyoming and The Northern Jetstream, to have and redeeming qualities. I really can't imagine how anyone who likes the band's earlier works would appreciate this album...

Seriously. A little 5-pack to tide us over the lean times. I was fortunate to pick this up when it first came out and Pedestrian and Sunshower still have the hook that grabs me.

This CD is awesome!!! It rocks the mike!!! A very hard CD to get. I can't tell you how many places I went to and they told me they could get it and then said, oh, I'm sorry we can't get it. So I was ecstatic when Amazon had it. But I think they were down to their last one when I ordered. If you like Ocean Blue - then this is a must-have CD. Personally, this is my favorite band of all. I could listen to these guys 24/7. I truly love this CD.

Just when you think they can't get any better, this band strikes yet another winner. NO Ocean Blue fan is a complete person without this work of art.