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Album Details
- Artist: Oleander
- Album: February Son
- Label: UMVD
- Year of Release: 1999
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2007-06-30
RecommendWith all the different styles of Rock, Hip Hop, Ska, Classical, Drum N Bass etc... etc... etc...Its difficult to come across a generic power pop album that just outlasts nearly a decade of aging. Every now and then though, bands like Oleander create albums like February Son.
Originally from Sacramento, CA- Oleander wrote and released their album February Son as Shrinking The Blob, Universal Records caught wind, and they were immediately welcomed by alternative radio. Songs like I Walk Alone, and the well known Why I'm Here were easily exposed in a time that saw music ruled by drop d bands like Deftones and Incubus. Though, not nearly as metallic and aggressive as the aforementioned Bakersfield, CA four, or anyone else in its time line of radio success, Oleander showed promise with a bi-polar tempo and scratchy vocals just finely tuned enough for listening pleasures.
Track ten, which anyone worth their weight in music knowledge should know, is a cover track from 80's legends The Cure, Boys Don't Cry. The intro sounds like that upbeat punk rock you just can't seem to ignore, and the memorable but unique hook of bridge hooking is beefed up thanking god they didn't screw this up. While Thomas Flowers (lead vocals) is no Robert Smith, his voice is a terrific match in creating another type of dimension for this classic track. The drum solo by Fred Nelson Jr. during the slow step ups of the verse are easily the most energizing part of this cover.
Even though, Down When I'm Loaded is my choice is for top track, it's song six, Lost Cause that is by far the most upbeat tempo of all the 11 tracks here and blends Power Pop and a slightly less than Pop/Punk feel. Another track written after the Universal Records hostage taking, these guys must have felt good writing this track.
No, while Are You There? was enjoyable, Oleander's next album Unwind wasn't up to the snuff of this release, and quite honestly, I'm not so sure any album will ever be. After becoming addicted to this album just as the 21st century reared its ugly head, I was certain Oleander would be a band that would always have me looking forward to their releases. It appears this album was their moment of eclipse, where the sun and moon met for a time of utter beauty and professionalism. A few years back I finally got to see them live with a few other bands in Austin, TX. They put on a great energetic show, so if you get the chance check em out. Regardless, February Son, will always haunt my collection as an album of a band that never materialized. One is better than none, and this album is worth purchasing over and over.
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