Goldrush - Ozona

It’s hard to pull off slightly off-key vocals. Some bands can do it. Sometimes the music is good enough to overlook whatever might be lacking in that department. Unfortunately, I’m not entirely convinced that Goldrush can. The Oxford, UK-based band, started by brothers Robin and Joe Bennett, has been compared to Teenage Fanclub and a few other bands of that ilk, and I don’t think they’ve yet done enough to eek out their own niche. Ozona is the second release from the guys, and it has a few really nice tracks on it. “All the Faces” is a good, solid pop song. “Counting Song” has a sweetness that works with Robin Bennett’s vocal style, and the musicianship is superb. It’s better than a knock-off but still has that sense of familiarity that makes it immediately a favorite. “Let You Down” is another familiar song that is easy to listen to. However, on songs like “Waiting For the Wheels” and “Jupiter,” Bennett’s vocals are just too warbled and too, well, off-kilter for me. He just doesn’t seem to be able to hold a note long enough to keep it steady. Like I said, sometimes that works…but more often than not, it just hurts what is a valient effort. There are some clearly good songs on Ozona, but it just lacks that ring of originality that I think artists should strive for. I know “it’s all been done,” but there’s enough room out there to make your own way. Hopefully Goldrush can get back to that their next time out. [www.goldrush.mu]