Ocean Colour Scene album reviews
Saturday
[8/10]
'Saturday' is the ninth studio album from Ocean Colour Scene featuring 14 brand new tracks which are:
'100 Floors Of Perception', 'Mrs Maylie', 'Saturday', 'Just A Little Bit Of Love', 'Old Pair Of Jeans', 'Sing Children Sing', 'Harry Kidnap', 'Magic Carpet Days', 'The Word', 'Village Life', 'Postal', 'What’s Mine Is Yours', 'Fell In Love On The Street Again', 'Rockfield'.
The Birmingham based released their self-titled debut album back in 1992 but it failed to have any impact on the UK charts. However, 4 years later their second album 'Moseley Shoals' peaked at number 2 and spawned the hit singles 'The Riverboat Song', 'The Day We Caught the Train', 'The Circle' and 'You've Got It Bad'. 1n 1997 'Marchin' Already' give the band their first and only number one and 'One from the Modern' (1999) and 'Mechanical Wonder' (2001) both made the top 10.
6 Reviews
Luke
14 brand new tracks? Not realy.
Saturday has 14 tracks that sound pretty much the same as the stuff from thier previous eforts, and them tracks - like these ones - are crap
1/10
[published
1/25/2010 12:19:17 PM]
Mark
21 years OCS have been going and here they are again with a new record. An incredible collection of songs. So many stand out tracks but Mrs Maylie, Saturday, Just a little bit of love, Rockfield, Fell in love on the street are fabulous. Musically and lyrically perfect. Harry Kidnap (written about Paul Weller's late father) is beautiful and I'm sure the lyrics have brought the great Paul Weller to tears. Village Life and Whats mine is yours are clever songs and remind me of The Beatles at their best.The first single Magic Carpet Days is probably the weakest song on the album but still a very good, uplifting pop song. The lads head out on a full UK tour shortly and I'm sure the new songs, mixed with their old will remind everyone why they're still going strong. Saturday is a brilliant album and will appeal to old and new fans of the great OCS.
9/10
[published
1/30/2010 8:20:04 PM]
John
Really great varied album coming 3 years after their fairly below par On The Leyline album. OCS sound very fresh overall on this and there's some wonderful pieces of music on there, especially the folky/gospel number Village Life and pop rock mega hit Saturday! Brilliant album.
9/10
[published
2/2/2010 10:16:33 PM]
Ross
Absolutely brilliant. OCS meets Beatles meets The Who! Definitely one of their best. Well done guys, look forward to seeing you in Stirling later this month.
9/10
[published
2/7/2010 3:12:46 PM]
Harry Kidnap
A real return to form from the OCS boys. After a couple of average albums, this one really is full of top drawer tunes. There isn't a bad song on here, with a real change in sound.
Stand outs for me are Harry Kidnap, Old Pair Of Jeans, Mrs Maylie, Postal and Sing Children Sing.
8/10
[published
2/9/2010 10:16:51 AM]
Karl O'Sullivan
One of there best albulms. I went to see this tour and as usuall was a briliant gig. OCS are the me the bestband in the world
9/10
[published
3/1/2010 10:45:07 AM]
On the Leyline
[8/10]
The first album in two years from the band who bought us major Brit Pop hits such as Moseley Shoals and One from the Modern
10 Reviews
Read All 27
David
A promo copy of this album landed in my hands and I can't help thinking that if one of the more so called en vogue bands had written this album it would be straight in at number one and be on the radio 24/7. Ocean Colour Scene have crammed in some beautiful tracks but also some really heavy and deep rock driven tunes, with Go To Sea Boy the pick for me. Each time I've played the album, a different track has stood out, the fantastic Two Lovers with a classic chorus that The Beatles would have been proud of.
Buy it. It will add glorious flavour to your summer.
9/10
[published
4/16/2007 3:50:00 PM]
Jim
Moderatly average CD - and im a Huge Fan of there's
6/10
[published
4/17/2007 11:13:00 AM]
Paul Davidson
Recieved a promo copy myself on Monday.
'Go To Sea Boy' is the stand out track for me (10/10), the rest of the album is v.good and it makes me feel like this band deserve some credit for banging out tunes 10 years on that are as good as their original materical.
9/10
[published
4/17/2007 12:58:00 PM]
Jack Coffey
Saw these guys libe at Hard Roc Cafe London a few weeks back and it really was the best gig i have ever been to. Ive seen Richard Ashcroft , Bloc Party , Paul Weller[twice] and out of all of those this gig really did stand out.
They are such an amazing live band , i really couldnt belive it. The energy that is produced is just amazing. They played a few tracks from this album and i cant wait for it to come out."Go to sea boy" is definatley a killer tune , it has a great riff and a powerfull chorus , maybe one of Ocean Colour Scene's finest songs! Also aniother new one "Just got over you" is amazing aswell. They also playted the new single "Itold you so" wich is very catchy and up beat , and the great thing about all these new songs is that you can sing along with them in a crowd of drunken people!!
10/10
[published
4/17/2007 4:41:00 PM]
Toby Virgo
Cracking album after years of chart disappointment. This should be Ocean Colour Scenes remaking. If they don't get recognised for this it would be an utter shame!
BUY IT!
9/10
[published
4/19/2007 1:04:00 PM]
Mikey Mike
Oh dear, an embarrassing album by an embarrassing band – stick to touring and give the records up.
1/10
[published
4/20/2007 6:38:00 PM]
Graham
Got album today and wasnt a let down heard it with the band last wed in Glasgow, but good to give it a proper listen to. Dont think i will be gettin tierd of it soon its up their with North Atlantic Drift.
10/10
[published
4/30/2007 5:28:00 PM]
Danny Clayton
Good stuff from the fellas. Some great songs in there. Wasn't sure I'd warm to the sound after a few years off, I was wrong. Buy it.
9/10
[published
4/30/2007 10:10:00 PM]
Stubbsy
Great Album! saw OCS 3 days before they released this album, and they were amazing! so amazing, words cant even describe their performance, OCS really deserve to do well with this album because they have never got the acknowledgement they deserve. cannot stop singing "Go To Sea Boy" haha fantastic track! definatly one of the best and thats saying alot.
10/10
[published
5/1/2007 1:16:00 AM]
henry tetlow
Class album from OCS, some of the tunes on here rank amongst their best. It's kinda like the album has 2 sides, tracks 1-6 are heavy on the guitar, rocking tunes, with the 2nd half being more acoustic and mellow. It is the 2nd half of the album that stops it being a masterpiece with 1 or 2 average album fillers.
THe album starts off with I TOLD YOU SO, sounding like a classic 60's pop song, then the volume gets turned up, with the likely new single, ON THE LEYLINE, WAITING and the Weller penned tune, FOR DANCERS ONLY, both fantastic tunes bringing back the OCS of old, with some excellent driving drumming from Oscar Harrison. Then comes MAN IN THE MIDDLE, one of the stand-outs on the album penned by newcomer bass-boy Dan Sealey, a slowish ballad in the verses then Stevie Cradock kicks in with some top guitar work for the excellent chorus, another great track is I JUST GOT OVER YOU, which again has some great guitar work and fantastic lyrics. Some great vocals by Simon Fowler on the last 2 in particular. Then comes GO TO SEA, an absolute cracker, a real epic of a tune with the most amazing guitar solo outro and again, good catchy lyrics. Steve Cradock then writes and sings THESE DAYS I'M TIRED, which is a mellow chilled out tune with again some amazing guitar, sounding like a mix between Ronnie Lane & Led Zeppelin - brilliant. DON'T GET ME has a great rhythm to it and LONLIEST GIRL IN THE WHOLE-WIDE WORLD is another great chilled out tune and MR BROWN is very catchy.
Overall a great album, tracks 1-7 & 9-11 are absolute tune-a-rooneys! back on the Scene!
9/10
[published
5/1/2007 9:54:00 AM]
Hyperactive Workout
[6/10]
2 Reviews
Dean Parkinson Chorley Lancs:
A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad – Ocean Colour Scene. Rating - 79%
Ocean Colour Scene return since their subdued and under-rated 2003 album North Atlantic Drift, this time minus bassist Damon Minchella, with the rather long titled 7th Studio album, A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad. Also new, is former Radiohead and Idlewild producer, Dave Eringa, who gives them a new fresh and funky sound from usual chiefs Brendan Lynch and ‘Max’ Hayes. Guitarist Steve Cradock and drummer Oscar Harrison share the bass responsibility and do it very creditable indeed. The album kicks off with an OCS trademark guitar riff on Everything comes at the right time, which is an upbeat rockin’ tune which Simon Fowler uses his powerful soulful vocals to the full and for Cradock this is probably like brushing his teeth. The first single, Free my name follows, which is an upbeat pop/mod song backed with a full orchestra over a funky bass rhythm. Next comes the first of 3 cover songs on the album, in George Harrison’s Wah Wah and is probably one of the highlights, sounding a little like the Stone Roses, you can’t not stomp you feet, raise your fist and sing-a-long to this tune. The mind blowing guitars, bass and drumming glide together and the two trumpet outbursts might make you do a little jig? Fourth track, Drive Away is an example of the Scenes’ maturity and is real grower which builds up slowly throughout the song. Perhaps the weakest on the LP is the slow and winding I Love You. The folky toe-tapping acoustic tune, is always a certain choice on
the bands’ albums of previous, and why not, they do it so well and This day should last forever doesn’t disappoint, a guaranteed live favourite, also includes a fiddle solo from guest John McCusker. They slow things right down with Move things over, this has a kind of jazz feel and sends you into total relaxation and Waving not Drowning gives them a chance to get their usual album guest spots with Paul Weller and Jools Holland contributing to this melancholic sing-a-long. Another high point is God’s World, a bass focused tune with a soulful chorus and funky verse this shows real diversity and is backed by the harmonious vocals of Carleen Anderson. Another time to stay follows which is another real grower, quite a soft song with the thumping drum giving extra depth. Next is nearly a solo Simon Fowler outing, Have you got the Right an excellent 2 minutes of powerful vocals and fierce acoustic guitars backed with light violins and viola. The 2nd Cover is Start of the day a relatively unknown song from early 90’s unknown indie scousers The Real People who have contributed on previous records and are OCS’s favourite band, another upbeat anthem from the Birmingham boys to pick up the tempo at the end of the album. Finally, the final cover and final track of the album is My Time, sung by unspoken drummer Oscar Harrison, his debut on the vox. An old reggae song from Bob Andy which surprisingly suits the Scene as they again show a different level to t heir music. Overall a really good uplifting album from the Indie/Mod veterans, after almost 15 years together, they still produce some of their best work to date, proving they are without a doubt still the best musicans around. They may not dent the charts these days, which is unfortunate as this current effort is far superior than recent efforts from current Radio 1 favourites Athlete, Embrace and Keane. This will keep the loyal fan base very happy indeed. Dad Rock? Rock on the Ox!! DP
Star Tracks – God’s world, Wah wah, Have you got the right & Drive away
8/10
[published
8/3/2004 9:45:00 PM]
Dean Parkinson
i wrote the above review, on reflecton - not as good as I first thought - it only has a few really good tunes in DRIVE AWAY, FREE MY NAME, HAVE YOU GOT THE RIGHT & START OF THE DAY (these are worth downloading) this is prob one of the poorest OCS albums and has OCS's worst song in I LOVE YOU
5/10
[published
4/16/2007 11:23:00 AM]
One for the Road
[8/10]
2 Reviews
Brett Newmarket UK:
It didn't get the full marks because it didn't manage to capture their live sound 100%. OCS shame many of their contempories with their song writing abilities. I think time will be very kind to OCS, and this is a cracking album!
8/10
[published
8/6/2004 1:22:00 PM]
henry tetlow
good live album taken from about 4 gigs. the live versions of oh collector and golden gate bridge are brilliant - better than the studio versions and profit in peace makes you wanna be there - its essentially a greatest hits though - would have been nice to hear some old album and b-side classics
8/10
[published
4/11/2006 10:38:00 AM]
North Atlantic Drift
[7/10]
10 Reviews
Read All 12
Dean Parkinson
A great sing-a-long album with OCS still producing some of their finest work to date. Oh Collector, For Every Corner and When Evil Comes being the stand out tracks. Their last album as the original 4-some with bassist Damon Minchella leaving in 2004.
8/10
[published
5/24/2005 12:00:00 AM]
Maboo Maboo :
Retro? YesAnthemic? YesCliched? YesRight, now thats out of the way.......Ocean Colour Scene return to the fray with their first album under new label santuary records, their first proper release since the folk-lite rock of mechanical wonder albeit proceeding the 'stop-gaps' of their 'Best Of' and live cut 'Live on the Riverboat'. Perhaps OCS shouldn't still be with us, continually slated by the critics, label problems and with patchy chart success over the past 5 or so years means no-one would have blamed messrs Cradock, Fowler et al if they'd layed their Gibsons down for pastures new.Thankfully OCS havent given up, as the title of their rock 'rags to riches' story would suggest - 'Belief is All'. In fact, North Atlantic Drift finds them in their most confident mood to date, 11 fantastically crafted songs flowing from the poppy first single 'I just need myself' to the textured spirited epic 'When Evil Comes'. What lies in between captures in essence everything you may have come to expect from the Brummy quartet over the past 14 years. Guitarist Craddock gets his first chance to flex his windmilling arm on the rockable 'Oh, Collector' - only vying with Simon Fowler's empassioned vocals for attention, 'get up all you fighters, dont you lie down' indeed.The next four songs are really the apex of the record, the wistfull title track coupled with harrison style guitar and a breezy musical setting stands as an early peak. It flows perfectly into one of the albums strongest suits 'Golden Gate Bridge' where once more Fowler and Cradock seem to envoke a tug-o-war with each other with their respective instruments. Steve Cradock, sometimes Weller cohort, lets Fowler shade it this time - his empassioned, direct vocals 'I need to know I can trust you with my life' eclipse I've ever heard pass his lips. Next comes the equally glorious 'Make the deal' complete with Brian Wilson references and a suitably swooning melody sticking two fingers up to the wrong-dooers of their past.The poppy duo 'For Every Corner' and 'On My Way' is possibly the albums only dip, but only that these songs dont match the undoubted quality of the others. Their fun pop songs and Damon Minchellas driving bass makes the latter glide past the listener leaving only a smile and drummer Oscar Harrison plays his part in the summery-sweet former.The folky 'Second Hand Car' is pure melancholy set to music, shuffling drums and gentle acoustics glide Fowler's vocals through troughs of sadness and peaks of strength. This before Cradock weighs in with a guitar solo which comes from nowhere and before you can say kings heath fades out into the beautiful 'Shes Been Writing'. A song written by Fowler after reading a biograph of folk singer Sandy Denny's life 'No More Sad Refrains', Linda Thompson adds her vocal touch to the chorus and Fowler weighs in once more with a spirited vocal. Its string-drenched, its mid-tempo, its very David Gates and its as close to perfect as Ocean Colour Scene will ever get.'The song goes on' slows the tempo down somewhat,a traditional sound with a fine bluesy middle-eight, it passes harmlessly enough. The album closer stays with the slower pace but is a real suprise at the end of this record. Fowler howls over a backing of distorted guitars and organs, producer Max Heyes has made it sound like its recorded in an engine factory, resonant noise is panned both sides as snippets of vocals slip from right to left. In fact, this could pass for a Radiohead song. 2 minutes in and this song gets interesting (is the digeredu real or an effect?), 3 and a half minutes in and it reaches its goal, brilliance.'Its too late for comebacks?' Fowler asks, and on this evidence I can offer a definitive 'No'
9/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
God UK leeds
Back to basics, hardly ever works and this is no exception, poor attempts to re-create "the riverboat song" and "the day we caught the train" just don't work.You have your glory, now go away
3/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
Tom Winchester Uk:
Why should they, if you don't like them don't bother listening to them and don't write b****cks! Go back to your mimed manufactured crap!
8/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
Steve Liverpool England:
The most consistant album OCS have done in a decade. This isnt about breaking new musical boundries, its just about producing good-solid music.The album opens up with a very familure OCS guitar working with "I just need myself" and some would probably groan at the familiarity but it is a refreshing song for the summer none the less."Oh Collector" is the next song and seems to mark a clear shift in musical style for the band. Beginning quietly to a pleasant drum & bass combo, then bursting into life and singing "So Softly". This kind of effect is used on a few of the albums key songs.North atlantic drift provides one of the best guitar riffs of the album and possibly the year, its a haunting and swaying melody which suits the Vocals to a tee. "Golden Gate Bridge" follows and does not dip the quality of the song writing one bit. Its a pounding tune which will end up being a live favourite im sure, something OCS have always succeeded in with new songs, is converting them well to the live sets."Make the deal" and "For every corner" both provide a pleasant contrast, with the former being slow paced and surrounded by strings and the latter picking up the beat, with an effective guitar sprinkling on the chorus.The album continues strongly and rarely dips in quality, this is one of the best albums of the year so far and with it OCS have possibly produced, one of their best and most original songs. The finale, "When evil comes" is simply superb and you cant help but hold your breath as the song builds and builds, until releasing a soulful and very satisfying melodic composition.Great melodies, lyrics and musicianship prove OCS are far from "past it" and have created some classic songs for their loyal fanbase and any music fans willing to look past OCS's usual media lashings.
10/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
Miguel ángel Palma de Mallorca Spain:
Is better than the last(Mechanical Wonders), i like very much, and i think that the album is near the first albums.
8/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
Scotty One Cov England:
What an album, beautiful music, amazing lyrics, classy contrasts. These boys aren't down yet, they'll be around for a while yet i'm sure! When Evil Comes - music doesn't get better than this and if it does i don't want to hear it!!!
10/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
Tim London UK
While Paul Weller and Oasis slowly decline these guys have totally stopped, they really should call it a day to save themselves from further embarrassment ~
1/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
dave sheffield england:
What an album! Right from the brilliant opener "I just need myself" to the masterful "when evil comes". How anyone can not love this album Ill never know. One of, if not the best OCS albums to date.
9/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
Stevie H Liverpool England:
A few years have passed since i first got NAD and being an OCS fan, im sure i can now make a more impartial review than i could of at the time.Most of the reviews above are biased (be that for or against OCS), the album is a good album, i think its their 3rd best album behind Moseley & marchin already. If you like OCS, then you should like the album lots, if you've not heard them before well give it a try!There are some real good songs on here, Oh Collector, North Atlantic Drift, Second Hand Car are some of the standouts for me. Plus, as with every OCS album (bar Mechanical Wonder), the ending song is brilliant and on this album, "When Evil Comes" happens to be a very unique song, not just for OCS.The production lets down some of the songs (although not as badly as it did on "one from the modern" or "mechanical wonder") but it's still a damn good album and is consistant throughout.It's funny to read the comments stating how this is the final nail in the coffin so to speak. As i write this, there is only 3/4 weeks left until their new album, "A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad" is released. Already the new single "free my name" is doing great and should chart top20. With a truly quality sounding new album, these boys are far from dead!
7/10
[published
7/29/2004 2:08:00 PM]
Moseley Shoals
[10/10]
3 Reviews
henry tetlow
one the best album ever made, the album is well produced and fits together beautifully. every song is an absolute tune. great lyrics, great riffs, great melodies. the circle is one of the best songs ever written and with other classics on there such as riverboat song, day we caught the train, 40 past midnight, you've got it bad. class! OCS have not produced a better album since, but then again no one else has either.
10/10
[published
1/26/2006 2:36:00 PM]
John Barnes
One of the best albums ever made - the lyrics and music playing is amazing, guitar solos, drum solos, tune after tune!! fleeting mind, it's my shadow, get away are pure classics along with riverboat, the circle and day we caught the train.
10/10
[published
8/16/2006 2:24:00 PM]
The Pirate Policeman
This is OCS's greatest piece of work, a show piece of great musicianship and songwriting. Steve Cradock is the best guitarist of this generation. It probably has the best start to any album with the hit singles 'Riverboat song', 'day we caught the train' and 'the circle' - all classics. it has the bluesy/soul rhythms on '40 past midnight' and jangly pop of 'one for the road' and ends with the epic 'get away', plus their 1st top ten hit 'you've got it bad'. This album will have you air-guitaring, air-drumming, clapping, stomping, swaying, air-bassing and definitely going 'oh oh la la' - you must own this album!
their new album is out in a few weeks and is rumoured to be on par with this one, let's hope so.
10/10
[published
3/21/2007 10:12:00 AM]
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