New Ozma album departs, but stands up well
Ozma
"Spending Time on the Borderline"
Rating: B
Ozma's third album, "Spending Time on the Borderline," is difficult to judge.
It lacks the clever, honest lyrics and youthful energy of "Rock and Roll Part Three" and "The Double Donkey Disc." Hardcore Ozma fans will either love it or loathe it, depending on whether they expect more of the same or something different.
The album starts off with "Spending Time," a catchy song that is reminiscent of some of the band's older work. It's upbeat, easy to listen to (without being too poppy) and driven by Star Wick's delightfully antiquated keyboard work -- everything one expects from Ozma.
From there on, however, the album takes on a different personality. It's decidedly more mellow than Ozma' first two efforts. The band plays mellow quite well -- but it seems to be an odd directional choice for Ozma, seeing as one of their strengths is the ability to really rock-out when called upon to do so.
Long-time Ozma fans will be pleased to see "Game Over" and "Eponine" included on this album. (Neither song has been released on an album before, though both have received their fair share of live performances.) "Game Over" has been reworked a bit, but the recording will be plenty recognizable to long-time fans. It should come as no surprise that these two songs are the real stand-outs on the disc.
I have to take issue with the production of the album. The more typical Ozma affair on "Borderline" is mixed as though it were some of the more mellow songs.
The entire album has a softer, warmer sound to it and the up-tempo songs suffer. Tracks such as "Bad Dogs" and "Turtleneck Coverup" should get your blood pumping, but the production causes them to feel flat. The guitars, bass and drums bleed together into the background in favor of the vocals, a disservice to a band that doesn't have a weak instrumentalist in it. The sound lacks the brilliant color of "Rock and Roll Part Three."
I'm somewhat confused by the band's decision to record an album like this. At their Chicago show on May 6 (the release date of the album) the band showed no signs of a "new sound" and they played fan-favorites.
Perhaps Ryan Slegr and Daniel Brummel (the two song writers of the band) just wrote what came to them, and "Borderline" is the result. It is more than likely the band grows weary of playing the same geek-rock night after night.
Like I said though, Ozma plays "mellow" awfully well. "Utsukushii Shibuya," an easy-going confession to a girl, is destined to become an Ozma classic. (Who doesn't like a flute part?) If a person having no preconceived notions of Ozma's sound listened to all three albums, they very well could choose "Spending Time on the Borderline" as their favorite.
Provided "Spending Time on the Borderline" is a one-time departure (and not a changing of the band's over-all sound) it is a great listen. In an alternative music scene filled with scream-o-core and imitation garage bands, Ozma stands out as an honest-to-goodness rock band.
Even if it isn't as high energy as their first two efforts, "Borderline" lives up to the standard. It's a refreshing departure from the norm.
Write to Mouse at bbmcshane@bsu.edu
Visit www.classicalgeektheatre.com
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