Our Lady Peace released their 5th album in the summer of 2002 and named it Gravity. Certainly, they have come a long way since their debut on the mainstream in 1995, perhaps even defying gravity at points. It seems that, although the band’s style of music changes a bit in each album, the music is always consistently good. Adding a new guitarist (Steve Mazur) to the scene, replacing Mike Turner, OLP does not let down its fans on this 10-track disc.
The top songs on the album have been released as singles, ‘Somewhere Out There’ and ‘Innocent’. Both songs exemplify the changing alternative style of the band, taking a more alternative, pop-rock sound than their previous album ‘Spiritual Machines’. The songs are quite balanced between hard and soft sounds and make it an easy listen while walking, doing homework or just hanging out. Bring Back The Sun reflects a gentler side of OLP that is often found near the end of each of their cd’s while the first few songs start off hard and loud.
I’m of the philosophy that each OLP cd gets better than the last, excluding ‘Happiness is…’ and if you haven’t heard OLP before or need a musical idea for Christmas, you cannot go wrong with Our Lady Peace’s Gravity.
- By: Cousy
ALBUM: Gravity
ARTIST: Our Lady Peace
LABEL: Columbia- 2002
RATING: 7.5 out of 10
Where to start? Well, I entered "Gravity" as someone who was not necessarily the biggest fan of the recorded output of Our Lady Peace. I'd heard what was played on the radio, and I can say that I was guilty of not giving them a very fair chance. As part of The Great Music Exchange of 2003, I took the band on for a month or two, and let their sound rest on my ears. I can say now that I come out with a greater appreciation of the group.
"Gravity" starts of with the rocker "All For You" - vocalist Raine Maida gets points for two things in this song - mentioning writer Jack Kerouac, and doing an extremely catchy stutter-sing during the verse of the song. The album reaches fairly consistent levels of both rock and a more mellow and contemplative sound (contrast, for example, the lead in track with a song like "Bring Back The Sun," which is the second to last song on the disc - the band really runs the gamut between the starting and ending point). Not being a fan of the band to begin with, I can't comment with great wisdom on the apparent guitar-player switcheroo that occured between this album and their last, however, string-slinger Steve Mazur does a good job of keeping the rock rolling - his playing is often inventive, with a unique flair to it. Songs like "Made Of Steel" rang with me a little more than the others on this CD - I reacted a little better to the more intimate songs, because it really seems as though Maida's voice is suited for them a little better. Drummer Jeremy Taggart is a dynamic enough player - at times he is a monster behind the kit, and at others, he tones his sound down to a lull that just generates mood.
The songs are consistent, if (at times - not always) slightly derivitive. Am I glad that I had a chance to listen to the album all the way through more than a few times? Yes. It was good, and I came out with a better understanding of where the group is right now, and perhaps where they're going. Did it change my life? No - but music doesn't have to be revolutionary to be solid, listenable, and most of all, fun.
- By: J. Alexander Vance
