Oceana - Birth Eater

[Cheesus]

Oceana - Birth Eater
Record Label: Rise Records
Release Date: May 26, 2009

It is hard to believe that this is the same band that brought us The Tide. With the addition of two brand new members, Brennan Taulbe on lead vocals and Denny Agosto on drums, Oceana are without a doubt abandoning the old and embracing the new. The band has already received harsh criticism from old fans regarding the direction of this album. Birth Eater does not sound as though it was made to garner scene cred. Rather, it was made to showcase the beauty of haunting, melodic, and honest music which is sure to continually pull the listener in.

Birth Eater could be considered a concept album. The entire album revolves around topics associated with loneliness, failure, abortion, sadness and the despair of abandonment. The album sends a powerful message in favor of the value of human life. Brennan doesn't shove his pro-life views down anyone's throat in a preachy way. Rather, he uses gifted lyricism to portray his point through the eyes of the unborn. In essence, he gives the listener a fresh perspective on his views. Without a doubt, every song on this album has a message that is powerful and hits you right in the heart.

Rumors suggest that this album was inspired by Taulbe due to the fact that he himself was almost the victim of an abortion. Whether or not this is true is yet to be discovered. However, one cannot find that concept a difficult one to grasp after listening to this album.

Apart from the outstanding lyrics, the music itself is superb. Oceana create a rich soundscape of layered melodies coupled with fantastic guitar work. The drumming has also notably improved with the addition of Agosto. The vocal execution is seemingly flawless. The mixture of clean vocals vs. screaming on this album couldn't have been done any better; the balance is perfect.

Oceana have undoubtedly set themselves apart as a band by choosing to make this album, both lyrically and musically. While the music isn't in itself innovative or entirely new, it is a progression for a band within the scene who's follow up album simply was not expected to be this great. This album is sure to garner new fans who might have been turned off by The Tide and hopefully interest old fans enough to give it a try.

Deftones, From Autumn To Ashes; Saosin; Emanuel
Myspace.com/oceanafl

[donwagenblast]

Great review. I submitted my review for this, it should be up soon. I said a lot of the same, but I sing the praises (much) higher. This is easily one of my favorites of 2009

[Cheesus]

Great review. I submitted my review for this, it should be up soon. I said a lot of the same, but I sing the praises (much) higher. This is easily one of my favorites of 2009
Thanks man, appreciate that. Honestly, I absolutely love this album as well and fully agree, its one of the best 09' albums yet. I look forward to reading your review

[donwagenblast]

Thanks man, appreciate that. Honestly, I absolutely love this album as well and fully agree, its one of the best 09' albums yet. I look forward to reading your review
Yeah, to be honest, the only thing that really changes in mine are the scores, which are all higher. I think I scored it above 90% haha

[Cheesus]

Yeah, to be honest, the only thing that really changes in mine are the scores, which are all higher. I think I scored it above 90% haha
haha yea, I definitely tried to take that in to consideration. I mean anything thats 90% and above will probably classify as one of my favorite albums of all time. This album is amazing but definitely not an all time favorite...yet

[shimmyshakes]

I agree. I absolutely love this album and is one of my favorites of '09 so far.
I hope Oceana starts getting the credit they deserve,
instead of people just judging them because they're on Rise.

[Klatzke]

Yeah, I'll be typing one up for this as well. Good review, though you seemed to discount The Tide a bit more than I do.

[jfork]

Musically this album sucks so so so so so so so so so so so so so so bad. Lyrically it's amazing.

[Kyleisraddd]

I like this album, but it needs more of The Tide in it. That is all.

[Cheesus]

I agree. I absolutely love this album and is one of my favorites of '09 so far.
I hope Oceana starts getting the credit they deserve,
instead of people just judging them because they're on Rise.

For sure man. Rise does have good artists you just have to look below the surface.

Yeah, I'll be typing one up for this as well. Good review, though you seemed to discount The Tide a bit more than I do.

Thanks. The tide was really good but for some reason it never hit me like this album did. Personal preference I guess.

[livingalive626]

spot-on review. i pre-ordered this album and have been listening to it constantly. def a step up from The Tide, though i love it as well.

[Cheesus]

spot-on review. i pre-ordered this album and have been listening to it constantly. def a step up from The Tide, though i love it as well.
Thanks so much bro. Such a great replay value

[Handraa]

Good review. Well focussed. But I have to disagree with you about the whole debut album thing, a lot of people were anticipating this album.

Nonetheless; great review.

[donwagenblast]

so, in a few days, we should be up to 3 reviews for this abum on the site. I love it.

[Cheesus]

Good review. Well focussed. But I have to disagree with you about the whole debut album thing, a lot of people were anticipating this album.

Nonetheless; great review.
Well as far as I could tell from browsing the internet, there were alot of "scenester" fans who couldn't seem to comprehend the depth of this album and simply wrote it off as trash. Not to say that The Tide wasn't "deep" in its own way but not nearly on this caliber.

And thanks a bunch man

[n1asfan]

This is a great review, it is really spot-on about the CD. I just listened to this, this morning, I love it so much!

[FiveIronFlores]

That was cool, real professional writing. Well done Craig, welllllllllllllllllllllllllll done

[Bloodsucker II]

That was cool, real professional writing. Well done Craig, welllllllllllllllllllllllllll done
:gay:

[Cheesus]

:gay:
lololol pwnt

[anthonydarko]

I have this record, but I have yet to listen to it. I'll hold my judgment until I hear the whole thing.

[FiveIronFlores]

:gay:
What the heck does that mean!?

[Bloodsucker II]

What the heck does that mean!?
/gay


But dont worry, I dont mean it!

[PureBlueSF]

I didn't really like it at first but now I love this album. I like it a lot better than The Tide, and that's saying quite a bit because The Tide was one of my favorite albums from '08.

[THE_SICKEST]

Awesome review. its always great when scene bands decide to push themselves, i.e. underoath...

im contemplating purchasing this record.

[Cheesus]

I have this record, but I have yet to listen to it. I'll hold my judgment until I hear the whole thing.

Yea man, its a good album. I really enjoyed it. I hope you do to.

I didn't really like it at first but now I love this album. I like it a lot better than The Tide, and that's saying quite a bit because The Tide was one of my favorite albums from '08.

Thats awesome, I definitely agree. It is better than the Tide

Awesome review. its always great when scene bands decide to push themselves, i.e. underoath...

im contemplating purchasing this record.

Go get it, you'll love it!

[TotalCollapse]

Nice review. I enjoyed this album.

[Alaris1337]

I just don't think I can really appreciate the "depth" you refer to, it all just seems like psuedo-intellectual bullshit. One thing I certainly disagree with is that the drums improved on Birth Eater - ... just no way, their old drummer's style was so much cleaner and better imo, not to mention he sung and sung WELL. Go listen to Brennan's old band, Comerica, it sounds JUST like their new stuff. Hell, Comerica has a song called Breather, which obviously inspired Breather II. Almost every song follows the same slow tempo and has the same feel, followed by Denny's complete over use of the hi-hat and boring, cliche fills. I just feel that The Tide was way heavier, way more aggresive and in your face, and all instruments and vocals were much cleaner and better. You can barely call his progression, I think this is just an awkward transitioning album. As a musician, I try to write music to the best of my ability, and I feel Birth Eater is certainly not a good representation of what these guys are capable of as musicians.

[PureBlueSF]

They broke up.

:(

[livingalive626]

They broke up.

:(
i know :'(

[Cheesus]

i know :'(
super depressing :(

(figured i'd add to the frowny faces)

[livingalive626]

super depressing :(

(figured i'd add to the frowny faces)
yeah and i think its mainly cause they were too sensitive to all the kids talking shit about the new vocalist and slightly different style...pisses me off

[Cheesus]

yeah and i think its mainly cause they were too sensitive to all the kids talking shit about the new vocalist and slightly different style...pisses me off
while I can't despute that with facts, I don't necessarily think that's what happened. I heard that Brenan had plans to leave already once the album was finished. Not sure though... I mean, if that WAS the case, they didn't give it nearly enough time to sink in. And on top of that, I saw a TON of fan support on their myspace. who knows

[livingalive626]

while I can't despute that with facts, I don't necessarily think that's what happened. I heard that Brenan had plans to leave already once the album was finished. Not sure though... I mean, if that WAS the case, they didn't give it nearly enough time to sink in. And on top of that, I saw a TON of fan support on their myspace. who knows
oh ok i never heard that about brennan. but yeah...doesn't really matter...
they're gone :/
and im just glad i got the autographed pre-order copy lol

[PureBlueSF]

There's actually rumors (on teh internetz) that they are getting back together. They removed the "R.I.P" from their MySpace name, and Brennan and Denny added Oceana banners to their MySpaces.

If they are really getting back together, I'm stoked.:-)

[Dystroxia]

They are officially back together.

[_andy_killface_]

i totally agree with your observation of this album.
i loved that they brought in a theme into their music.
i respect the fact that this band had the guts to face one of the most heated situations in out nation at the time; abortion and trails of faith.
the singing was also a great addition to oceana's sound, by allowing a mood shift by using clean vocals in contrast to his screams.
all in all great album and great review :)

[Cheesus]

i totally agree with your observation of this album.
i loved that they brought in a theme into their music.
i respect the fact that this band had the guts to face one of the most heated situations in out nation at the time; abortion and trails of faith.
the singing was also a great addition to oceana's sound, by allowing a mood shift by using clean vocals in contrast to his screams.
all in all great album and great review :)
thanks man, glad you agree!

oh and so stoked they're back!