We Are The Ocean – Go Now And Live (25/04/2011 – Hassle Records)

     ‘Go Now And Live’ is the second studio album for post-hardcore/pop punk band from Essex, We Are The Ocean. After forming in 2008 and supporting bands such as The Blackout, You Me At Six and Funeral For A Friend on tour, they have brought together a strong set of fans anticipating the release of this album. After managing to sell out most venues on their very first UK headline tour, two EPs and a debut album, their fan base has expanded ever since. Produced by Pete Miles, who has also worked with The King Blues and Canterbury, ‘Go Now And Live’ sets We Are The Ocean on the road to success, despite many detractors.

     Commencing with a false start effect, ‘Trouble Is Temporary, Time Is Tonic’ is a tongue twister of a track, that plunges the listener straight into the albums’ depths. With We Are The Ocean’s signature blend of scream and melodic vocals, topped only by the likes of A Day To Remember, as well as blaring riffs topping off the blend of sounds. However, as the track progresses, it appears that lead vocals from Dan Brown have been tampered with in the studio somewhat, as well as the rest of the band, subsequently tarnishing the band’s organic sound found within previous work, specifically ‘Nothing Good Has Happened Yet’ from their self-titled EP, which remains untouchable. With pseudo gang vocals found in this chorus, ‘I’ve been told just to give it up, give it up...’, and the regular call and response format employed by the two vocalists. Overall, this first track provides a taste of what is yet to come from the remainder of the album, and thus far, it is worth continuing.

'Go Now And Live' Artwork

      Second track, ‘What It Feels Like’ was released as a single on 4^th January 2010. With its gritty yet gentle arrangement, entwined with priceless evocative lyrics, ‘You’ve forgotten what it feels like to be loved...’ , it’s a killer. This is one of those tracks written for crowd control at gigs, despite a steady tempo. Yet two minutes into the song would be a flawless ending for it, with Dan Brown almost singing acapella and seemingly drifting into the following song. But when ‘What It Feels Like’ set off again, the element repetition becomes slightly tedious.

     Unusually, the following track ‘The Waiting Room’ was also released as a single on 21^st March 2011 in anticipation of ‘Go Now And Live’. This is because singles are typically the tracks that are best produced on the album, with most attention to detail provided, and this is not untrue of these two tracks. ‘The Waiting Room’ perfectly utilises the band’s call and response method, simulating a discussion of an overflow of emotions between the two band members, along with the fantastic blending of vocals. The breakdown before the final chorus depicts the band’s creative instrumentality and the tender vocals conveys a versatile vocalist in Brown, although the coarse form of this voice is outstanding. Additionally, We Are The Ocean’s lyrical skill is well portrayed throughout this track,’ and I’m falling faster than I’d really like...’, proving that mood-driven songs can be heated and intense. The track is so energetic that it demands your full attention.

     ‘Runaway’ begins as an apparent ballad, notably slotted onto every rock band’s album for a bit of variety, but twenty seconds in, the band’s various musical methods are thrown into view once more. Their use of steady guitar and drumming is reminiscent of the likes of Snow Patrol, ‘I said some things just to comfort your heart’ yet they manage to retain their own influences with the straightforward rock melody. ‘Trials And Tribulations’ showcases Liam Cromby’s salient stamp on the We Are The Ocean’s music as well as their variety in terms of song writing.     

     Sixth song ‘Overtime Is A Crime’ is punchy and gig-perfect, and is yet another track that does not revert back to dull pop-ridden rhythms used by more and more ‘rock’ bands of late. ‘Godspeed’ exercises one of the oldest tricks in the rock band book; beginning a track with a steady, singular drum beat and building up the rest of the elements around it. But what is interesting about We Are The Ocean’s take on the technique, is that there are so many fused layers and components to each of their tracks that the listener is more inclined to focus on the music itself rather than its construction. Making use of heavy harmonies and instruments for dramatic build up or effect is something the band does very well. It is more difficult than you may think to throw a softer guitar solo into the spotlight in the middle of a track after a vocal fronted piece.

     ‘Now And Then’ is comparable to poppier bands such as Scouting For Girls , but with vigorous vocals and emotional overtones, ‘I won’t cover it up, just give me time...’it is an enlightening take on the rock ballad. ‘Follow What You Need’ is peppered with the best We Are The Ocean elements, but unfortunately, they all appear in an odd order, making this the weakest track from ‘Go Now And Live’. The repetition of ‘follow, follow what you need’ throughout most of the chorus is nothing but dreary, and with lyrics such as ‘Just be yourself...’ are far too cliché! Understandably, bands often write songs based on something specific, but very personal, and therefore never concretely referenced, but a notable anecdote may have saved this tiresome track.

We Are The Ocean

     The mixture of macho retort and positive energy from ‘Before I Die’ is a great send off for the compilation, illustrating that they can order songs effectively, which makes me question why the two singles were placed together. Pieced together with all the extra dimensions thrown into the rest of the album, ‘Before I Die’ documents that post-hardcore bands can provide hope through their music, ‘Before I die, I’ll make sure I’m alive...’, expressing how well rounded and developed the band have become, especially by keeping their musical influences at arms’ length and pin-pointing their collective personality and soul.  

     We Are The Ocean have released a depiction of a decade’s worth of musical development in just twelve short months and despite the associational vocal edit, lusture-lacking track and generic instrumental elements, ‘Go Now And Live’ is confident, emotional and full of hope.

   

4/5