Winds may soon be picking up for the Ocean Blue

Published: Monday, December 2, 1996

Monday, December 2, 1996

MUSIC:

Band's newest album reflects maturity, has guitar-based soundBy Brian Remick

Daily Bruin Contributor

For once, the Ocean Blue might be satisfied. Their latest release, "See the Ocean Blue," is their fourth studio album and the first that lead singer David Schelzel is truly happy with.

"I always set out to do a record with certain ideals in mind," says Schelzel. "This record is closer to my ideal than any previous record we've ever done."

The past few years have been filled with changes for the band. Following 1993's "Beneath the Rhythm and Sound," the group signed a new contract with Mercury Records and replaced its keyboard player with a new guitarist.

"I think the last record felt like a commercial effort on our part," says Schelzel. "I didn't have as much fun writing the songs and making that record as I did this new record. I always wanted to be more about what we are now."

The Ocean Blue saw initial success on their debut album in 1989, when the band members were just out of high school. The music reflects this youthful attitude.

"It's definitely a freshman thing, which is part of its charm but also part of what makes it not as mature as ("See the Ocean Blue")," says Schelzel.

The Ocean Blue released two more albums in the following years, the latter of which would mark the beginning of the band's internal struggle with the music industry. "Beneath the Rhythm and Sound" sold over 100,000 copies, the most ever in the band's career. Complete with a single from the album "Sublime" and very limited radio play, it appeared that the Ocean Blue was headed for success.

But they backed down.

"(Sire) really wanted to break us in a big way a la Toad the Wet Sprocket, and that's not something I had any interest in," says Schelzel. "That's not really what I wanted to be there is more to our band than that."

While such a view is admirable, Schelzel admits that he obviously isn't against selling more records. However, he didn't like being associated with mediocre alternative bands.

"People would compare us to a lot of bands that I didn't like, and that bothered me," says Schelzel.

One aspect of the Ocean Blue that has always kept them from getting exposure is their melodic pop musical style. Early in the decade, with "Cerulean" and "Beneath the Rhythm and Sound," it seemed like they were running just behind the mainstream. Then the mainstream got a burst of speed.

"For some stations we were and ironically still are to some degree too light," says Schelzel, mentioning Bush and Pearl Jam as the current alternative standards. "We're not loud now and I don't think (we) ever will be that sort of band."

They picked things up a bit with "See the Ocean Blue," especially on tracks like "Whenever You're Around," which has a feel of older U2. The keyboard influence on "Beneath the Rhythm and Sound" is gone, taking with it the spacey feel of older material and leaving only pure guitar.

"I certainly don't think we're an easy-listening light band," says Schelzel. "(Our music) often carries with it light, fluffy connotations that sort of bug me."

Music itself has become much more guitar-driven in the past few years, contributing to this connotation. While the Ocean Blue aren't "fluffy," most of their early material is comparable to the Lightning Seeds and the Smiths styles which American pop has all but dismissed in the past few years. Their English-style pop is certainly not a coincidence.

"There's a lot of English bands I really like and I think there is a positive way to look at that, not a negative one," Schelzel says. "A lot of times people would criticize us for that."

"See the Ocean Blue," with its mainly guitar-influenced melodies, will help move the band into a more receptive environment. Their confidence in it won't do any harm either.

"It's close to some of my best songwriting ever and I think it is the most interesting to listen to," says Schelzel. "From my perspective as an artist, it's much more of a successful record."

Mercury Records

The Ocean Blue are confident "See the Ocean Blue" reflects the best of their music.