O.A.R.’s getting older…just like us
by Patrick Dunne
I just recently switched careers, two college friends are getting married this summer and my college roommate – and his wife – just bought a house.
Sounds like Of a Revolution is growing up, too.
Many, many O.A.R. fans will undoubtedly appreciate the new tunes on “All Sides,” but this one wishes they were as catchy and fun as their previous records.
Gone are the days of Crazy Games of Poker, there are no more road trips that left About an Hour Ago and no one is talking to Mr. Brown anymore.
Of A Revolution has finished the revolt, left the frat parties completely behind and wrote songs songs about talking with wives and than crafting party anthems for another generation of college kids.
“All Sides,” O.A.R.’s second post-college album, takes the mellow love sing vibe ten times further than the previous record, “Stories of a Stranger.”
“Stranger” was full of the acoustic-reggae numbers that made the band sound unique and popular from 1999-2003, but there is not one head-nodding chorus to be found in the new record.
The new sound is mature, that’s for sure, but it sounds more like a baby-boomer’s idea of mature and not a band four years out of a major party school like Ohio State.
It’s stated clearly in “What is Mine” when (singer) says the post-Ohio State craziness has taken its toll: “Seen the big show a thousand times/ Got to get back what is mine.”
Maybe the guys should leave Virgin Fest and massive summer tours behind and stick with college arenas.
“This Town” and “Try Me” harken back to the better parts of “Stranger,” but everything else is comprised of whispering to their wives and fondly recalling the party days the band clearly wants to leave behind.
There’s almost nothing left of the up-and-down, nod your head tunes like “Risen.” Songs like “Something Coming Over” harkens back to the days when they recorded the successful and popular live album “Any Time Now.”
That’s it. One song.
The guys are also better musicians on this record than in the past. There are genuine lead lines to hum along with and melodies flow from saxophones and guitars. It’s a far departure from your half-drunk college roommate strumming through “Black Rock” and sounding exactly like the band that recorded the number.
However, it is a shame that the guys haven’t realized that you can still have fun in your old(er) age.
O.A.R. “All Sides”
3 out of 5 crazy games of poker
