Review: We Are the Ocean – Cutting Our Teeth (2010)

Swanky, new age hard rock with an emo-ish (I know what a cop out that term is, but find a replacement and I’ll use it), quasi-hardcore approach is a common denominator in modern rock with a range from the heavy stuff with Atreyu and Killswitch Engage to the lighter side of things with the likes of Saosin and Underoath. New group We Are the Ocean fall into the latter category, which guarantees umpteen numbers of 13-18 year old girls making up the large majority of their live audience. I like seeing the ladies at shows, don’t get me wrong, but being greeted by a throng of middle schoolers is not exactly my ideal night on the town. Nonetheless, I can’t fault We Are the Ocean for any of that nonsense, because they play what they want to play, and they do it pretty well.

We Are the Ocean’s debut effort, Cutting Our Teeth really is a non metal album with a few metal moments.  While there are little to no surprises or original moments on the album’s entire 31 minute playing time, it’s definitely competent work with vocalistDan excelling at what he does best, with a mixture of clean and somewhat harsh vocals so as to not scare away previously mentioned teenage girls. All in all, I can’t get into Cutting Our Teeth, not because it’s necessarily bad, but because it’s just not my thing. It’s fairly generic rock with little personality to it, but if your tastes include well produced, well played melodic pop hard rock, then I’d say check out We Are the Ocean, otherwise (and I can only assume this represents the majority of AMR readers), steer clear of this record.

I won’t damn this record, but I am certainly not going to promote it either.

EH…

Similar Artists: Alter Bridge, Saosin, Seether, Underoath

1. Look Alive
2. Our Days Are Numbered
3. All of This Has to End
4. Confessions
5. These Days, I Have Nothing
6. Don’t Take Chances
7. I’ll Grab You By The) Neck of the Woods
8. Are You Proud of Me Now?
9. I Could Have Been So Much More
10. This is Called My Home

Dan – Vocals
Liam – Guitar and Vocals
Alfie – Guitar
Jack – Bass
Tom – Drums

Hassle Records

http://www.myspace.com/wearetheoceanuk

Review by CODY