Ocean Colour Scene: North Atlantic Drift : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

On their sixth studio record, Ocean Colour Scene don't stray far from the mode of their pleasing 1996 Brit-rock breakthrough Moseley Shoals. The band still practices the same retro naturalism and love for soul and psychedelia, but amid the trad modness it gives increasing attention to breezy pop ditties and neo-folk melodies. The guitars are either huge (as on Big Star nod "Golden Gate Bridge"), funky (on the Faces-esque "I Just Need Myself") or rustic and jangly (on the narrative "Second Hand Car"). Either way OCS's soaring choruses swing for the cheap seats without pandering too often. Outside of some horns and tabla accents, and the Van Morrison-esque bonus "Will You Take Her Love," this is territory well-covered. But generally Steve Cradock's R&B-soaked riffs and stylized vintage guitar sonics remain magnetic and Simon "Foxy" Fowler's passionate crooning retains its own brand of allure.

JOHN DUGAN
(August 19, 2003)