The Stills – Oceans Will Rise Review

23 August 2008, Allan @ 7:22 pm The Stills Oceans Will Rise Review

When I saw The Stills in concert last year, they played quite a few songs for the crowd that would be on the new record. It was a real downturn in the concert as both the quality and energy of these songs seemed lacking. I saw a lot of blank stares and uninterested sighs while we waited for the Stills to return playing much more recognizable songs. A good sign though was that Tim Fletcher was back on vocals for the most part which was lacking on the second album Without Feathers.

The Stills, newly signed to Arts and Crafts, the label headed by Broken Social Scene here in Toronto have once again released a much different album. I must say that Logic Will Break Your Heart was one of the first indie albums I ever embraced and to this day it is one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s just great to listen to in and out. On the other hand, Without Feathers was extremely different with Greg Paquet leaving as a guitarist and Dave Hamelin moving up to guitar from drums to take the vocal duties. The album wasn’t that bad but if you compare both albums, it was hard to like Without Feathers. After a few listens though I must say it was at least unwarranted as there was some decent stuff on the album.

Again, The Stills have gotten their hand caught in the cookie jar for trying too much. After seeing them live, I flat out believe that they are just not talented enough to pull off something more then a simple pop rock band with decent post-punk revival influences. They quest to be original is at best so-so and that’s the exact risk bands take when trying to become unique and stand out.

The Stills are the best when they try to remain simple and a lot of the time, the music sounds like a mess compared to their previous records. There are a few things I do like on this album and it is when they are toned down not trying to much. Hits like Being Here and Everything I Build do stays quite simplistic and nails what the Stills should be about, working off Fletchers lyrics and vocals, not drowning them out like on Rooibos/Palm White Drinkard.

It’s easily the worst album the Stills have released. I know they want to distinguish themselves but more often times in this album they have missed. I guess there are some merits in once again recreating themselves but isn’t that a little bit pretentious thinking you’re capable of that?

Rating: 2.25 out of 5
I may be dwelling too much on the first album but this is another major disappointment.
Being Here by The Stills

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