The Ocean Blue - Waterworks (EP)

Admittedly, I’m not an Ocean Blue aficionado. I went to my friends who are for help on some questions that I had, namely, what is the difference between the music on the EP Waterworks released in November of this year and The Ocean Blue I remember Dave Kendall hailing on 120 Minutes? It turns out that one major difference is the direction the band has been taking in recent years toward a more pop sound. Not silly, vapid pop, but catchy, nicely crafted and thoughtful pop. Sounds like an odd thing to say, but trust me on this one. Minor education aside, I feel, in a way, lucky to not have an extensive background in the band because it means that I can take this release on its own and experience it as its own entity instead of part of a tradition or history. Some of you may balk, and that’s your right. The EP opens up with a beautiful instrumental by founder and singer David Schelzel entitled “Fast Forward Reverse.” It has a poignant feel to it that alludes to the deeply sentimental tone of the rest of the songs. This flows effortlessly into “Pedestrian,” another Schelzel masterpiece. The chorus, “If you don’t come quickly/If you don’t come too/I’ll be gone,” again follows Waterworks’s melancholic and thoughtful theme. I’m not as fond of “Golden Gate” or “The Northern Jetstream.” “Golden Gate” is just a bit too hippy for my current tastes. I do like the occasional strong bass drum in the background though. “The Northern Jetstream,” an instrumental from Oed Ronne, who joined officially in 1994, is nice, but the “doo-doo-doo-doos” just drag on a little long. By far, the highlights on Waterworks for me are “Ticket to Wyoming” and “Sunshower,” both by Ronne. I first heard the former on a comp that one of my friends put up. I was captured immediately by Oed’s deep, silky voice and the perfectly arranged melodies and changes. The man’s voice is clear as a bell. “Sunshower” is my favorite song though. It’s a deceptively up-tempo song that weaves lyrics together in a seamless and breathtaking undulating pattern. “Roof top and I can’t stop/the rhythm of the raindrops/that mingle with my tears./Orange glow, the radio reminds me/you’re not here.” For a band to still be producing impressive music after nearly two decades is a testament to the talent that started The Ocean Blue and to the talent that has joined along the way. I am impressed by the musicianship and the lyrics. And I am more than a little ashamed that I haven’t been a fan all along. [www.theoceanblue.com]