Beneath the Rhythm and Sound
Beneath the Rhythm and Sound | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1993 | |||
Studio | Compass Point (Nassau) | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Label | Sire/Reprise[1] | |||
Producer | The Ocean Blue, Kevin Moloney | |||
the Ocean Blue chronology | ||||
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Beneath the Rhythm and Sound is an album by the American band the Ocean Blue, released in 1993.[2][3]
The first single, "Sublime", peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.[4][5] The band supported the album by touring with Suddenly, Tammy![6]
Production
[edit]The album was recorded in Nassau, Bahamas.[7] The lyrics were written by lead singer David Schelzel, who wanted to return to the song-based writing of the first album, instead of concentrating mostly on the production.[8][9]
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chicago Tribune | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Philadelphia Inquirer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Record | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Tampa Tribune | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Trouser Press thought that "the self-produced Beneath the Rhythm and Sound lacks the outside opinion it clearly needed; a more seasoned set of hands could've brought 'Sublime' (which pleads for multi-tracked backing vocals) and 'Either/Or' ... to much fuller fruition."[14] The Washington Post determined that "this Anglophile Pennsylvania quartet cultivates a generalized mid-'80s British guitar-band sound on upbeat tunes like 'Peace of Mind' and 'Sublime', but when the pace slips toward the sauntering the debt to Morrissey and Marr becomes formidable."[15] The Columbus Dispatch called Beneath the Rhythm and Sound "a lush, jangly, alluring collection of rock songs."[16]
The St. Petersburg Times praised "Dave Lau's light sax on 'Bliss is Unaware'."[17] The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that "you'd be hard-pressed to find a record more bland and blanched than the third release from the Ocean Blue... Choosing to set sail on a listless sea of English pop styles, David Schelzel affects the adenoidal mannerisms of New Order's Bernard Sumner, Haircut 100's Nick Heyward, and a host of Postard-label Scottish acts."[12] The Chicago Tribune stated that the band "rings in a subtle alternative rock sound with swirling keyboards."[11] The Record commended "the guitar and keyboard interplay that adds tension to 'Don't Believe Everything You Hear'."[13]
AllMusic wrote: "Leaving behind the mellow minimalism of their first two records, the Pennsylvanians gave their ethereal music a brighter, glossier sheen on this record."[10]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by David Schelzel
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Peace of Mind" | 2:59 |
2. | "Sublime" | 3:08 |
3. | "Listen, It's Gone" | 3:46 |
4. | "Either/Or" | 3:43 |
5. | "Bliss Is Unaware" | 2:24 |
6. | "Ice Skating at Night" | 3:18 |
7. | "Don't Believe Everything You Hear" | 3:47 |
8. | "Crash" | 3:28 |
9. | "Cathedral Bells" | 3:19 |
10. | "The Relatives" | 2:58 |
11. | "Emotions Ring" | 4:06 |
Personnel
[edit]The Ocean Blue
- David Schelzel – vocals, guitar
- Rob Minnig – drums, keyboards, backing vocals
- Bobby Mittan – bass guitar
- Steve Lau – keyboards, saxophone, backing vocals
Technical
- The Ocean Blue – producers (track 6), co-producers (tracks 1–5, 7–11)
- Kevin Moloney – co-producer (tracks 1–5, 7–11)
- Rob Minnig – engineer (track 6), mixing (tracks 6, 10–11)
- Michael Brauer – mixing (tracks 1–2, 8)
- Jay Healy – mixing (tracks 3–4, 8–9)
- Neil Davenport – photography
- Kim Champagne – art direction
- Scott Hull – mastering
References
[edit]- ^ a b Dunn, Michael (January 7, 1994). "Critics' closet". Friday Extra!. The Tampa Tribune. p. 19.
- ^ "The Ocean Blue Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Bessman, Jim (Oct 2, 1993). "Artist developments: Out of the Blue". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 40. p. 14.
- ^ Dollar, Steve (November 26, 1993). "'Sublime' sailing for Ocean Blue". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. P5.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (December 10, 2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008. Hal Leonard Corporation.
- ^ Staggs, Jeffrey (December 9, 1993). "Hershey isolation's fine for Ocean Blue". The Washington Times. p. M19.
- ^ "The Ocean Blue". Perfect Sound Forever.
- ^ Jacobs, Dennis (23 Nov 1993). "Smooth Sailing with Ocean Blue". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 5D.
- ^ Zatzariny Jr., Tim (December 8, 1993). "Ocean Blue: Band Is Making Hershey, PA., Famous Again". The Press of Atlantic City. p. B1.
- ^ a b Cater, Darryl. "Beneath the Rhythm and Sound". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Webber, Brad (4 Nov 1993). "Ocean Blue Beneath the Rhythm and Sound". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
- ^ a b Stark, Karl (28 Sep 1993). "The Ocean Blue Beneath the Rhythm and Sound". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E3.
- ^ a b Jaeger, Barbara (August 29, 1993). "The Ocean Blue, 'Beneath the Rhythm and Sound'". The Record. p. E4.
- ^ Reighley, Kurt B.; Reno, Brad. "Ocean Blue". Trouser Press. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (8 Oct 1993). "Anglo-ing Beneath the Ocean Blue". The Washington Post. p. N13.
- ^ Eichenberger, Bill (November 18, 1993). "Pretense without angst". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 8.
- ^ Hall, Dave (17 Dec 1993). "Sound Bites". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 16.