“And I know none of this makes me different
And I can take that for what it’s worth”
Seminal Melbourne pop outfit and Wagga Wagga transplants The Ocean Party have a new album coming out next month called The Oddfellows’ Hall. It follows up I.B.O., their twelve minute 7″ opus from August, and last year’s Guilt EP and Beauty Point LP. This record finds the prolific super democratic songwriting sextet of early 30 somethings and a younger Zac Denton (and much more handsome – Ed.) at different points and circumstances in their lives which as always makes for a diversely fascinating listening experience from a band not averse to writing pop ditties that are both poignant and often humorous but always openly observational and personally confessional.
The Oddfellows’ Hall was recorded over the space of a week in a 140 year old hall in the New South Wales town of Yass which provided the band with a nostalgic environment to filter their twelve creations through, creations that are based around everything from soothing acoustic based semi-ballads like opener ‘Rain On Tin’ to full blown motorik like jams like the schizophrenic closer ‘Better Leave Soon’. That feeling of nostalgia is certainly reflected in the wistful nature of its first two singles replete as they are with gorgeous helpings of lead and slide guitar. The first was the relationship ending ‘Off And On’ with its glisteningly catchy chorus while the latest, ‘What It’s Worth’ released on Friday, begins in rather quiet and downcast fashion before blossoming into a defiant celebration of mildly grudging acceptance. All the while safe in the knowledge that uncertainty is normal and helplessness is more often than not the default position. Listen to both singles below. The Oddfellows’ Hall out November 9 on Spunk Records. Pre-order digitally here. Vinyl (AUS/NZ) here. US/CAN here.
Tracklist
1. Rain On Tin
2. Better
3. Let Go
4. What It’s Worth
5. Back On
6. Seed
7. Home
8. Stubborn
9. White Cockatoo
10. Off And On
11. Spleen
12. Better Leave Soon
What It’s Worth
The Ocean Party (AUS)
From the forthcoming album, ‘The Oddfellows Hall’, Spunk Records. Out Nov 9.
Audio Stream
Off And On
The Ocean Party (AUS)
From the forthcoming album, ‘The Oddfellows Hall’, Spunk Records. Out Nov 9.
Audio Stream
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