Hmm.. I think I'll do a track-by-track, in depth analysis. I've never done anything like that before, should be fun. Here goes!
1. No One Needs to Know - Okay, this is tough.. The original version of this is one of my very favorite Ozma songs. I wasn't sure how I would feel to hear it redone. On my initial listen.. I really liked it. I think I've decided that I don't like one version more than the other. The only thing I really missed a lot from the original was the little guitar slide right before the solo, that always got me so pumped up. I really like the flute trill that was added. I'll be listening to both versions in the future, whichever one strikes me in the right mood I guess. 9/10
2. Barriers - The guitars sound great, the bass is some of the best on the album (I'll get into that more later.) The song really moves, the drums and the guitar solo really get me goin. Very enjoyable lyrics, well delivered. I don't really see why many of you don't seem to like this one, I think it's great. 9/10
3. Eponine - I understand why they had to redo this song.. But I don't think it goes over
as well as No One Needs to Know. Still a good rendition, but I'm sure most of you feel the same way.. We'd all rather have new songs instead. However, I've listened to Pasadena probably ten times now, and I haven't skipped Eponine (or anything else) even once. So, I think that says a lot about it. It was obviously a great song in the first place. 7.5/10
4. Fight the Darkness - Like I said earlier, I wasn't sure how I would feel about this.. The chorus is clearly repetitive. But that's not always a bad thing, and I they think they pulled it off pretty well. It left a pretty clear message anyway, hehe. What really makes this song great is the fantastic drums and bass. The more I listen to the album, the more great drum parts I'm catching, so I don't know if it's Kenn's absolute best song.. But it is Daniel's. He really shines on this one. And the keyboard at the end is very thrilling.
8.5/10
5. Heartache Vs. Heartbreak - This song is fantastic. Rachel Haden blows me away, as usual, and Ozma handles male/female harmonies as well as anyone. Samuel lyrics, great drumming.. But it's the little things on this song that really draw me in. Like the acoustic guitar in the background, the video game sounds near the middle. Dan's "Oh it's rusted now!" Love the solo, but I wish it was longer. Sweet little drum kick to end it. 10/10
6. Incarnation Blues - I've heard this song a lot now, since it's been up on myspace for quite a while, and it's taken a while to really grow on me.. But now I really enjoy it. Lyrically one of the best on the album. Great keyboards, another awesome solo. Don't know what else to say.. it just plain rocks. 9.5/10
7. Lunchbreak (Cobra's Theme) - The first time I heard this, I thought it was very weird. I really wasn't sure what to think. It's just so different from anything else I've ever heard from Ozma. I don't know how much of this song was Ryen's doing, it seems like a lot.. And I have to say, very well done buddy. I've really come around. Yeah, it's different, and that's great, because it rules. The piano intro is neat, and then the song takes a serious turn into something else. Just, fantastic lyrical melody all the way through. The little piano notes here and there are a nice touch. It ends abruptly, almost too abruptly, but it works. 9.5/10
8. Motorology 3:39 - Wow.. GREAT song. Love everything about it. The intro which gives you a hint of the great melody to come. Every member of the band shines on this song. Awesome lyrics, fantastic guitar parts. The lyrics in the second verse make me long for Kid Icarus, but I digress, hehe. Matthew Caws' guitar part seriously gives me chills every time I hear it. What a freakin cool guy he is. The buildup before the last chorus is riveting. Great kind of random noises at the end that remind me of the ending of some of the songs on the Bootymaster EP. 10/10
9. I Wonder - If there's one song on the album that made me want to pick up a guitar right away and learn it, this is it. Not a whole lot to say about it, it's a nice change of pace. Very nice lyrics, great singing. Again, very different for Ozma, but fits in perfectly. 9/10
10. Underneath My Tree - This song was hyped quite a bit here, my expectations were quite high. And yeah, just like any time you have high expectations, I was a bit let down. But don't get me wrong, it's a very solid song. Certainly nice to hear a studio version. I don't know.. I do like it, it just doesn't blow me away like some of the other songs do. The guitars and bass do sound very good. The instrumental section near the end does go over very well. And the "Whoa!" at the end is very cool. 8.5/10
11. Straight Flush - I heard the demo of this back when it was on myspace, and I didn't even remember what it sounded like, that's how little of an impression it left on me. So, needless to say, I wasn't extremely excited to hear it. Man, that was dumb of me. This song is stellar, and a perfect way to end the album, in the vain of Continental Drift and Light Years Will Burn. There's a definite Nada Surf influence, in my opinion, and that's a very good thing. Dan's singing is incredible, some of his best work. The lead guitar is seriously moving. I saw someone say that this and I Wonder should swap places, I completely disagree. An album like this deserves an epic closer, and boy, it has one. 10/10
Overall:
To recap my ratings,
No One Needs to Know - 9/10
Barriers - 9/10
Eponine - 7.5/10
Fight the Darkness - 8.5/10
Heartache Vs. Heartbreak - 10/10
Incarnation Blues - 9.5/10
Lunchbreak (Cobra's Theme) - 9.5/10
Motorology 3:39 - 10/10
I Wonder - 9/10
Underneath My Tree - 8.5/10
Straight Flush - 10/10
Pasadena - 10/10
This album stands right up there with anything else these guys have ever done. It is very different, which may be off-putting to some, but they are so good at what they do, they'll make you fall in love with the new sound. For quite a while now I've been struggling with the thought of putting Ozma ahead of Weezer as my favorite band.. And I think I can safely say that now. Weezer has made two 10's, a couple of 7's, and a 6.. Ozma has made four 10's. I think Ryen really shines on this album, probably more than ever before. He and Jose both pump out great guitar parts all the way through. Star's keyboard parts have become more intricate, and interesting, than ever before. It's nice to hear her voice too, and see a writing credit for her. Kenn is a fantastic addition to the band. I've always loved the drumming in Ozma (I know a lot of people wouldn't say that) but it's clear that Kenn took it to a whole new level here. And it's always nice to have another songwriting presence around.
Which brings me to my only sad note, and I really hate to say it.. Daniel Brummel is my favorite bassist. I play the bass myself, and I try my best to play like him. Most bands these days, the bassist really isn't too apparent, they just play along with the guitarist and call it a day. I love Daniel because he doesn't do that, he always has cool, interesting parts that are very easy to listen for. Again, it makes me really sad to say it, and I'm sorry Dan.. But the bass playing on this album was a huge letdown. Most songs he didn't do anything interesting, or different from Jose and Ryen. The great, and I mean GREAT, bass playing from the last three albums was just not there. It was very good on Fight the Darkness and of course No One Needs to Know, and decent on Barriers and Underneath My Tree. Other than that..
Now, it's important to note, I thought his vocals were fantastic, and I know he has a lot to do with the guitar parts too. But the bass in Ozma is one of the key reasons I love them, and it's just not there this time out. It doesn't affect the album too much, and I'm sure a lot of people won't even notice that much.. But being a bassist, and one who looks up to Dan very much, it had a big impact on me. I still love you Dan, and you're still my hero!!
Well, I guess that's all I have to say about that. Yep.. great album. Best I've heard in a long time.
