003 01-16-11 - 01-22-11 - The Ocean Blue

THE OCEAN BLUE - THE OCEAN BLUE (1989) Sire Records

The eighties were coming to an end and The Ocean Blue debuted their self-titled album. The songs are simple and defined an early Gen-X. "Between Something and Nothing," "Love Song," and "Drifting Falling" still hold their own today. The songs each lend themselves to a time when music was still pure to me, not so commercialized. my only complaint is the fact they they embraced some of the 80s cheese with the saxophone riffs, but those don't really bother me all that much. It's always great to pick up this disc because there aren't songs you just want to skip through, a true testament to a solid album.

The Ocean Blue are in studio now and will be releasing an album sometime this year with a tour to follow.

002 01-09 -11 - 01-15-11 Abandoned Pools

Abandoned Pools - Humanistic (Extasy)
US release date: 25 September 2001

Abandoned Pools is the brainchild of ex Eels member Tommy Walter and needless to say it is nothing like the Eels, a grand departure, trading in folksy indie rhythms for straight up alt-rock power. The songs on Humanistic are well crafted and full of harmony. Subtle samples round out several songs. The album is an emotional joyride that by the end you don't want it to stop.

The power hit "The Remedy" clearly shines on this album with lyrics like: Then you can be the remedy / And I can be the enemy / And he can go and live as nothing / Then you can be the wanna be / And I can be the remedy / And he can go to hell for all I care" but I prefer the somber and simple "Never:" Well we never made it through another day/ And it's all because you had to have it your way/So lucky you /I wonderin' when I'll be OK /If it's never than it's never /Well your mind is there but your heart is out to lunch /And it's all because your philosophy's just a hunch /T.V. time's over/Father's order.

001 01-02-11 - 01-09-11 City Breathing

City Breathing

Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven
Roses and Hello Recordings

City Breathing are a Brooklyn-based three piece band that merges post-rock, ambient, and indie pop to create a dreamy state and mood. The lyrics are simple at times, but convey the right feeling over top of ambient bliss and post-rock wonder.

Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven is City Breathings' first album on Roses and Hello Recordings. Do you remember when you were young and you hear an album that just plain mystified you? Every time I play Look How. . . I have that same reaction. It's like I'm transported back to a time when I thought music had promise and reason, a warm fuzzy of emotional toil wrapped up in curiosity and grace.

As I stated earlier, the lyric are simple but have a curiosity about them:

"We all become abbreviations, shouldn't you disappear too." and "We are never our best laid plans" are just a few that spark that balance of puzzle and completion.

I find a piece when I listen to this album, a fulfillment that there is a brighter future for music. here's to hoping these guys stick around for a while.

52 Weeks

In an effort to make myself write more, I had this idea to review/discuss an album a week throughout the year. Alas we are into week two. Week one's album is Look How It's Snowing Upwards, Look How They Move Towards Heaven, by City Breathing. I'll post more thoughts later.