Search - Ozma :: Spending Time on the Borderline

Give "Borderline" a Go, and Give Ozma a Break!

Brendan M. Prawdzik | Berkeley, CA United States | 05/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would have rated this at 4 1/2 stars if it were possible, but since it's Ozma I have rounded up! Ozma fans will not be surprised to find "Borderline" to be full of well-written songs that will make them want to jump around. It is more electronic and produced than previous records; unfortunately, it seems a bit more inhibited than "Rock and Roll Part Three" and less idosyncratic than "Doubble Donkey Disc." Nonetheless, these are mere quibbles about a very pleasing record.Highlights (in my humble opinion) include: "Spending Time," the opening track with a quirky guitar intro and the catchiest of refrains; "Come Home Andrea," which offers a new side of Ozma (that I am at a loss to describe) and strong vocals by Daniel Brummel; "Turtleneck Coverup," a good-humored, energetic track in the (ridiculously extended metaphor) tradition of "Apple Trees," "Baseball," and "You Know the Story"; "Gameover," which sounds great with the electric drums and the thick, melodic keyboard action (though I still prefer the accoustic version); "Restart," a gentle, melodic treat; "Eponine," with a funky, keyboardic verse; and "Light Years Will Burn," which is probably the strangest track on the record (though it has not yet implanted itself in my brain.) The album's first single, "Bad Dogs," is another immediately gratifying, thunderous rock track, but the vagueness of the lyrics prevents it from evoking the empathy of songs like "Iceland," "Battlescars," "Domino Effect," etc. Is "Bad Dogs" an anti-war track, or perhaps a bit of self-affirming irony? Hard to tell.Finally, it must be said that Ozma have caught a bit of heat for "sounding like Weezer." Yes, Ozma sounds more like Weezer than the average band, and I'm sure that they would instantly acknowledge their indebtedness. Certainly not a bad act to follow, but Ozma continue to benefit the world of music with their own innovations and peculiar style. They are more light-hearted and life-affirming than Weezer, and often more musically provocative. (This is not to belittle Weezer by ANY means, but to distinguish Ozma.) In short, Ozma do not fear to tread in Weezer's waters, but there's a brilliant, mazy creek in which they play all by themselves. Jump in!"

Almost their best

aaaaaaambition | norman, ok USA | 05/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has what have already become my two favorite Ozma songs, in just 3 days. "Curve in the old 1-9" and "Light Years Will Burn" are just oustanding. Both rock harder than anything else done by Ozma, and are simply outstanding. That said, the rest of the album is not far behind. My only real complaint is "Bad Dogs", which is not an awful song, but for Ozma, it is subpar. It sounds almost exactly like a song (any song) from Weezer's Maladroit, which is a shame because I've spent a considerable amount of time trying to convince people that Ozma is not only different than Weezer, but better. I'm sure if you're here, you're familiar with one of the older songs, "Eponine," which sounds great on recording, I'd previously only heard it live. "Your Name" is quite a change of pace for Ozma, but it is still fantastic. "Spending Time" is classic Ozma, and it sounds great. The only thing keeping this from being their best is "Bad Dogs" and that the CD seems to lack coherency as an album, something Rock and Roll Part 3 was great about, but obviously the Doubble Donkey Disc wasn't really intended to do. Anyway, it is definitely worth the purchase. Thanks for reading.
Here's an update: I don't know how I failed to mention "Utsukushii Shibuya". It's right up there with Curve in the Old 1-9 and Light Years Will Burn."

Great

Mark Twain | Pasadena CA | 12/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very good album.
By the way, every sentence in Drew Sullivan's review is incorrect."