Oceana - Birth Eater
Record Label: Rise Records
Release Date: May 26, 2009
It is hard to believe that this is the same band that brought us The Tide. With the addition of two brand new members, Brennan Taulbe on lead vocals and Denny Agosto on drums, Oceana are without a doubt abandoning the old and embracing the new. The band has already received harsh criticism from old fans regarding the direction of this album. Birth Eater does not sound as though it was made to garner scene cred. Rather, it was made to showcase the beauty of haunting, melodic, and honest music which is sure to continually pull the listener in.
Birth Eater could be considered a concept album. The entire album revolves around topics associated with loneliness, failure, abortion, sadness and the despair of abandonment. The album sends a powerful message in favor of the value of human life. Brennan doesn't shove his pro-life views down anyone's throat in a preachy way. Rather, he uses gifted lyricism to portray his point through the eyes of the unborn. In essence, he gives the listener a fresh perspective on his views. Without a doubt, every song on this album has a message that is powerful and hits you right in the heart.
Rumors suggest that this album was inspired by Taulbe due to the fact that he himself was almost the victim of an abortion. Whether or not this is true is yet to be discovered. However, one cannot find that concept a difficult one to grasp after listening to this album.
Apart from the outstanding lyrics, the music itself is superb. Oceana create a rich soundscape of layered melodies coupled with fantastic guitar work. The drumming has also notably improved with the addition of Agosto. The vocal execution is seemingly flawless. The mixture of clean vocals vs. screaming on this album couldn't have been done any better; the balance is perfect.
Oceana have undoubtedly set themselves apart as a band by choosing to make this album, both lyrically and musically. While the music isn't in itself innovative or entirely new, it is a progression for a band within the scene who's follow up album simply was not expected to be this great. This album is sure to garner new fans who might have been turned off by The Tide and hopefully interest old fans enough to give it a try.
Great review. I submitted my review for this, it should be up soon. I said a lot of the same, but I sing the praises (much) higher. This is easily one of my favorites of 2009
Great review. I submitted my review for this, it should be up soon. I said a lot of the same, but I sing the praises (much) higher. This is easily one of my favorites of 2009
Thanks man, appreciate that. Honestly, I absolutely love this album as well and fully agree, its one of the best 09' albums yet. I look forward to reading your review
Thanks man, appreciate that. Honestly, I absolutely love this album as well and fully agree, its one of the best 09' albums yet. I look forward to reading your review
Yeah, to be honest, the only thing that really changes in mine are the scores, which are all higher. I think I scored it above 90% haha
Yeah, to be honest, the only thing that really changes in mine are the scores, which are all higher. I think I scored it above 90% haha
haha yea, I definitely tried to take that in to consideration. I mean anything thats 90% and above will probably classify as one of my favorite albums of all time. This album is amazing but definitely not an all time favorite...yet
I agree. I absolutely love this album and is one of my favorites of '09 so far.
I hope Oceana starts getting the credit they deserve,
instead of people just judging them because they're on Rise.
I agree. I absolutely love this album and is one of my favorites of '09 so far.
I hope Oceana starts getting the credit they deserve,
instead of people just judging them because they're on Rise.
For sure man. Rise does have good artists you just have to look below the surface.
Good review. Well focussed. But I have to disagree with you about the whole debut album thing, a lot of people were anticipating this album.
Nonetheless; great review.
Well as far as I could tell from browsing the internet, there were alot of "scenester" fans who couldn't seem to comprehend the depth of this album and simply wrote it off as trash. Not to say that The Tide wasn't "deep" in its own way but not nearly on this caliber.
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