"Our Condition" album review in OMS Issue 3.
Current Worldview album "Our Condition" has received a largely positive review in the newly dispatched third issue of fine local music paper Oxfordshire Music Scene (also online at http://www.vitaloxford.com/publications/oms_issue3.pdf). Here is the piece, complete with largely on-the-money musical reference points, by one Lisa Ward, for whom the cheque is, as they say, in the post:
Worldview's aptly titled Our
Condition takes a snapshot
view at modern living, with
its raw honest lyrical
exploration of life today.
Covering a variety of styles
which range from those with
hints of dance, to more
contemporary indie style
songs Worldview is the
culmination of Oliver Shaw's
efforts, which sees him take
on the guise of singer,
songwriter, producer and
musician to create an eclectic
album.
Though to start it risks being
repetitive and tenuous with
obvious nods to the likes of
The Manic Street Preachers in
Designed For Life as well as
similarities to Stevie Wonder
and U2 it strengthens in time.
Certainly songs like Tourist
offer a welcome respite from
the re-occurring beats, which
seem to dominate the earlier
tracks, and What's Your
Poison finally dispels the fear
that Oliver only knows one
tempo.
With a vocal style similar The
Living Years by Mike & The
Mechanics, laced over the top
of New Order style backing,
it's a strong offering for
anyone who's a fan of the
80's with music that combines
the ballads of REM with the
dance beats of Duran Duran.
Meanwhile Oliver has produced a new 2008 version of the afermentioned "What's Your Poison?", with a mix which brings the guitars to the fore and a more strident, Bono-esque vocal, reflecting the anthemic status the song has developed live in conrast to the more reflective, understated original. Hear the new version below:
