- Audio CD (21 Mar 2005)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Sanctuary
- ASIN: B0006ZSXPI
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 66,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Review
Patience has been a keyword for all fans of Ocean Colour Scene throughout their 15-year career - but those that have survived mediocre albums Mechanical Wonder (2001) and North Atlantic Drift (2003) - have been rewarded with A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad. And while the Birmingham modsters' seventh studio album is not as instantly commercially accessible as their breakthrough second offering Moseley Shoals, it is certainly a return to form.
One must again be patient, however,as this is one of those albums that is a definite 'grower'. Three covers -George Harrison's "Wah Wah", "Start Of The Day" by vastly under-rated Liverpool quartet from the early '90s The Real People and "My Time" by Bob Andy (reggae legend AKA Keith Anderson) - may suggest OCS are struggling for material. But opening track "Everything Comes At The Right Time" dispels those theories; it's classic OCS - a fast-paced anthem with big guitars and instantly memorable chorus.
"Free My Name" (released 7 March) is the first single to be taken off the album. Aftera big intro, it leads into Simon Fowler's distinctive vocals while Steve Craddock's guitar swirls around Oscar Harrison's big beats. "I Love You" is slow and ponderous and best forgotten, but the mood is instantly lifted with the jaunty violin-driven "This Day Should Last Forever".
But "Waving Not Drowning" is by far the best track on offer here, featuring long-time OCS champion, the Modfather himself, Paul Weller on guitar and Jools Holland's piano under-pinning the track. Is Fowler paying homage to the people who have continued to believe in the band? "Call it survival...you wrote the words...you drove away our fear...drank the half glass empty." However you interpret it, "Waving Not Drowning" proves that OCS can still write fantastically uplifting songs and proves to the fans that patience is indeed a virtue. --Dan Tallis
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Album Description
It's difficult to believe that Ocean Colour Scene have been around for almost 15 years – from humble beginnings in 1988 they have grown in to one of the UK's most, respected and consistently successful 'proper' bands. Guitar, bass, drums, voice – the key ingredients that make up their classic sound – backed up by unfailingly high quality song writing. Now the band return with their fifth studio album, A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad. Written and recorded by Simon Fowler, Oscar Harrison and Steve Cradock in a Hunting Lodge in a remote part of the Scottish highland's in 2004, the album showcases a real maturity and depth in the band's song writing, taking inspiration from the likes of Neil Young, The Beatles, Lou Reed, U2 and Scott Walker. Produced by Dave Eringa, A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad featuring collaborations with Paul Weller, Jools Holland and soulstress Carleen Anderson.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The first thing that struck me after listening to the album, is how on earth will the critics find negatives about the album, its hard to see where or how... though I am sure they will
The OCS sound has slightly changed in places, yet in others its still there, the ocs that we love... or some of us hate. Drive Away is a classic song, So is the opener, typical Ocean Colour Scene, then we have something new.. apart from the 3 covers, we have Gods World and Move Things Over, the latter is one that I know will grow, and has grown on first listen, a beautiful sound which is placed perfectly on the album.
Free My Name the new single doesn't let us down, apart from it ends too soon, This Day Should Last Forever shows of Simons love for folk music, and it will have you singing along to the chorus.
The only weak track on the album seems to be I Love You, Simons vocals doesn't seem to suit the song, which is a shame.. maybe it will grow on me in time.
Waving Not Drowning is another lovely song with jools Holland adding a talented touch to it, it slides through with great lyrics, and its good to see Steve have play about again on the guitar at the end
Another Time To Stay is probably my favoured on the album, sure to be a single, a more mellowed ocean colour scene sound yet there roots still show through, true amamzing vocals and well arranged and produced.
The album ends with Oscar, which is strange to listen to, its like a bonus track put onto the album by another band, but its lovely, and we have to wonder why its taken ocs fans over 15 years to hear his voice, lets hope we hear it again too
The Other Two Covers Wah Wah and Start Of The Day fit in perfectly to the ocs sound, I've not heard the original of the latter, but its got a heart throbbing chorus, Simon suits the song to the tee. Wah Wah is brilliant. Have you got the right is beautiful
and so is this album
I want to give it 9 out of 10, but its out of 5.. so I'll give it 5 out of 5 to round things up
ocean colour scene are back?
they where never gone
The OCS sound has slightly changed in places, yet in others its still there, the ocs that we love... or some of us hate. Drive Away is a classic song, So is the opener, typical Ocean Colour Scene, then we have something new.. apart from the 3 covers, we have Gods World and Move Things Over, the latter is one that I know will grow, and has grown on first listen, a beautiful sound which is placed perfectly on the album.
Free My Name the new single doesn't let us down, apart from it ends too soon, This Day Should Last Forever shows of Simons love for folk music, and it will have you singing along to the chorus.
The only weak track on the album seems to be I Love You, Simons vocals doesn't seem to suit the song, which is a shame.. maybe it will grow on me in time.
Waving Not Drowning is another lovely song with jools Holland adding a talented touch to it, it slides through with great lyrics, and its good to see Steve have play about again on the guitar at the end
Another Time To Stay is probably my favoured on the album, sure to be a single, a more mellowed ocean colour scene sound yet there roots still show through, true amamzing vocals and well arranged and produced.
The album ends with Oscar, which is strange to listen to, its like a bonus track put onto the album by another band, but its lovely, and we have to wonder why its taken ocs fans over 15 years to hear his voice, lets hope we hear it again too
The Other Two Covers Wah Wah and Start Of The Day fit in perfectly to the ocs sound, I've not heard the original of the latter, but its got a heart throbbing chorus, Simon suits the song to the tee. Wah Wah is brilliant. Have you got the right is beautiful
and so is this album
I want to give it 9 out of 10, but its out of 5.. so I'll give it 5 out of 5 to round things up
ocean colour scene are back?
they where never gone
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Some people will wonder where ocean colour scene have been for the last few years, the simple answer is that they never left and either has their brilliant ability to marry heartfelt lyrics with sublime melodies and foot stomping tunes. This album starts as everyone hopes it does a rocking good riff accompanied by willingness to just jump on your scooter and drive around town. "Free my name" is possibly one of the best songs OCS have written in there existence and the fact it recieved so much airplay despite a lack of promotion is testament to this. Covers they say have to be bettered or equalled and OCS do this in fine style with Wah Wah. What follows next are a pair of emotive songs which if which stand on a par with the greats of our past. This day should last for ever is a folk masterpiece which is as uplifting as it is catchy. The rest of the album continues in a similar vein and it cannot be questioned that this album is truely brilliant. A surprise maybe for some but not for their legions of fans who no truly that Mods Rule!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is an excellent piece of work by the lads. I'm agree that is not as brilliant as the North Atlantic Drift but they did a great collection of tunes to deserve the title of MUSIC GENIUS. Let me just add that DRIVE AWAY is one of the best songs I've ever heard, alongside "free my name" and "move things over". Also "this day should last forever" can put you in a great mood instantly.
If you know about music, you should buy this one.
I would buy it just to have DRIVE AWAY everyday!!!!!!!!!!!!
OCS is the best band around!
Don't tell me anything about f***** Coldplay!!!!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sonic vibrancy
Ocean Colour Scene have a knack for doing things no other band would think of. And this is the record where they get it so right. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2009 by W. Tombs
A hyperactive workout for Steve Craddock
Check out the opening guitar on everything comes at the right time. How was that not a bigger hit than the riverboat song?
Mental. Absolutely mental!
Mental. Absolutely mental!
Published on 29 Sep 2008 by ModdyBoy67
Worst album title of the year 2005
Why do they bother? It can't be the commercial acclaim or the reviews. But here they are again with an album that shows no sign of a radical new direction.... Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2006 by Merry Terry
Excellent buy
First of all I'd like to start by saying that Ocean Colour Scene are one of the most under-rated bands ever. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2005 by "jksjammin"
A disappointing album
Having listened to this album a number of times, I am surprised by the above gushing reviews - all of whom appear to love this album with a passion. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2005
You got to listen to this one!
Like the good wines, Ocean Colour Scene is back with a great album. Maybe its title is a bit rare if we take a look to their past records, but that's something that I will not... Read more
Published on 3 April 2005 by blackcuervo
Another Superb Piece of Work...
To be perfectly honest I was a bit sceptical about this album coming out. I am a huge OCS fan and have been following the boys around the UK since 1995 buying all of their records... Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2005 by Chris Gower
Back to their best
This is the best since Marchin' Already (which was their peak) so it's been eight years overdue. From the stomping two openers and the excellent Harrison cover, "Wah Wah", the... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2005 by Neil
How it should be
Great songs, great production and absolutely no effort to fit in with what everyone else is putting out at the moment. Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2005 by "stewartlyle"
OCS hit the sweet spot again!
This is a gem of an album. Ocean Colour Scene seem to be moving up and up at the moment, with this record sounding extremely fresh from a band who are supposedly 'rubbish'... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2005
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