Search - Ocean Colour Scene :: Mechanical Wonder

A musical wonder? Not quite, but still worth a listen.

cdswatch | Folsom, CA | 11/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have never listened to Ocean Colour Scene prior to this album. I have no other album to compare this one to, so what I am about to describe is my first impression which might be useful for new listeners.I bought the album after I heard the song 'Mechanical Wonder'. Sure there wasn't anything particularly new about the song, but it is blessed with a great sincerity and melody. I have a penchant for mellow music and Britpop has been my consistent supplier thus far. After listening through the whole album, I wasn't impressed, but neither was I disappointed. It is a very consistent album, there is hardly any departure from one song to the next. They seem to be playing what they know best and the music flows with a great execution and confidence. Is it like listening to twelve tracks of 'Mechanical Wonder'? I don't think so, similar as the songs might be, they do not reflect a malaise or lack of creativity. It is just that they know what they are good at and what they are good at is what they will play. I would compare their music to Soul Asylum's: sincere, slickly rocking and unpretentious. Would I try another album of Ocean Colour Scene? I would and I hope that I will be as entertained as I am by this one."