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Thank you! Finally someone realized that there was a void in the
music scene; one left by bands like Good Charlotte, New
Found Glory and first album version of Simple Plan. Yes,
I realize that two of the three afore mentioned bands are actually
still intact and probably still touring. However for fans of these
bands, their original sound (and for me the bands themselves) has
been missing for at least a couple of years, thus leaving a void...
As well as a need for a style of music that requires no emotion, no
professional grade ear plugs or knowledge of any instrument besides
the core four (guitar, bass, microphone and drum kit). The SoCal based
band Oh No Not Stereo is just the band for the job.
You want a feel good song that makes you appreciate rock guitars?
Well then the opening track for 003 called "Lets Get It
Started" will fully satisfy you. Complete with synchronized chants
and a pepped up tempo, it's literally a great way to get it started.
"Hurricanes" slows it down just a tad, but really only for
the first 20 seconds or so. Because after that the guitar really bursts
out of its shell, cloning itself into an alarm sound. And if you really
listen to the lyrics, you'll see why an alarm is appropriate "right
behind you, come the hurricanes!" My favorite part of the song
comes in about 2:42, when the electronic guitars drift away and all
you're left with is some gentle vocals, an acoustic addition and a
touch of percussion, all set to emphasis the whisper of "its
right behind you." Skipping down to "Shot Down By The Man"
because to me this is the token Good Charlotte replacement. It's angry,
amazingly powerful and inexplicably catchy. Protest song? Could be,
especially with that title. What I do know is the guitar solo that
claws its way out near the end is truly wicked. One song that gives
Oh No an up on its predecessors is "12 Years Later." Instead
of putting in a classic love ballad, they decided to put in an emotional
rollercoaster of life and death. A bold move, made even bolder with
the addition of a few string instruments. Yet another song that has
an amazing part is this one; about 2:25 the vocals subside and a piano
takes lead. Wait a moment and that string instrument comes around
again, yet gets plucked this time. Just another moment more and there's
a powerful lead in with those electronic guitars back again and some
harmonized lyrics "you saved my life, you saved me."
As if the versatility of this band wasn't apparent enough, they go
all Ben Folds on us. "I Can't Say" is a song that
spends about half it's time in the presence of an acoustic guitar
and piano. Skyler's voice is set in a pop-octave, coupled with
the pleasant lyrics just make you feel a little happy-go-lucky. However,
just when you get comfortable they remind you why the core of a band
contains guitars and a couple of them come a-trashing out. Right in
line with the Ben Folds feel is "A World Of Our Own" now
there's no doubt, this is their ballad. And as ballads go, it's not
bad. Piano, cello and harmonies make for a pretty song.
Ending the album with "Can't Trust Anyone" was an excellent
decision. It's like punk meets hardcore rock and it is perfection.
The punk is the insanely fast tempo and "yeah yeah"'s yelled
throughout and the hardcore comes in the stiff bass and lyrics that
make you hate the world. At about the 2 minute mark it seems as though
the song and the album are over. But wait for about a minute and you'll
realize you've got just a bit more to enjoy. That infamous piano makes
one last appearance with what I can only assume are the original members
of the band: Skyler and Mykul. A guitar does eventually add
a little bit of flavor, it's not really needed though, as the piano
carries the song all on its own. You're left with lyrics "give
it up, give it up for the big man" and a question: who is this
'Man'?
The album is called 003 and they're next adventure 004
is currently in the works. Perhaps they saved the creativity from
album titles for the music itself. Thank God they did. This is an
excellent album and I'd consider the void filled.
-Rachel Fredrickson
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