MUSIC REVIEWS

O.A.R.– Stories of a Stranger
Sire records

-- by Sean Vidal

DespiteWith their sixth studio album, Of a Revolution (or O.A.R. for short) tries to break into the mainstream of American music. The once great “East coast underground drinking band,” which dates back to 1999, O.A.R. has filled its newest album with catchy tunes and back-up singers, uncharacteristic of the jam band.

The Maryland-based quintuplet has a huge and devoted fan base that loves their original sound, created by mixing simple reggae into a jam-band formula. The new “Stories of a Stranger” tries to appeal to a broader audience then just their frenzied fan base, but they may have lost some things that made them simple and rare. The new album is chock full of reggae riffs and ballads about the band’s ambitions to make it big and memories of past experiences.

MTV U has been playing the hit single “Love and Memories,” but many diehard O.A.R. fans hate to see them try to become mainstream. Yet, while many old O.A.R. fans may question the path that the band has taken, no one can completely hate “Stories of a Stranger.” The new tracks have the potential to be great in concert, a place where the band shines. The recording is flawless, giving the listener a “front and center” concert experience.

Tracks like “The Stranger,” “Heard the World,” “Lay Down” and “52-50” throw back to the good old O.A.R. days and make up for pop songs like “Love and Memories.” “Stories of a Stranger” showcases the bellowing voice of lead man Marc Roberge and the guitar skills of Richard On. Also Saxophonist Jerry Depizzo does excellent work as usual. Overall O.A.R. has kept its feel-good, carefree attitude with this new album, while achieving a goal of appealing to a greater audience. “Stories of a Stranger” complicates the original O.A.R. sound by adding fullness to their music, one thing that the band did need to do.

Key Tracks: “52-50”, “Lay Down”, “The Stranger”