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Avg: 4.0 (102 ratings)
- Date Released: March 7, 1997
- Genre: Rock/Pop
- Style: Americana, Alt-Country, Rock
- Label: Safe House Records
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We Say...
Though previous releases certainly offered worthwhile pleasures, the Volebeats hit their songwriting stride with their third full-length, Sky and the Ocean, which has been cited as a treasure of bittersweet country music for people who don't particularly care for the genre. It's more old-school country-rock than alt-country, conjuring the reverb-heavy production values of the '60s while showcasing the group's straight-ahead arrangements and Motor City twang. Singer Jeff Oakes and lead guitarist Matthew Smith wrote most of the material, but guitarist Robert McCreedy seemed to bloom, contributing two of the album's strongest cuts: the celluloid Western atmospheres of the title track, and the prairie love croon "Two Seconds." The three harmonize their heartache over engaging, melancholy folk-rock jangles that strongly recall the Byrds, especially on "Somewhere in My Heart" — though the rockabilly verve of "Warm Weather" sounds closer to the country-rock efforts of ex-Monkee Mike Nesmith. The Volebeats would shift gears for their next album, the widely praised Solitude, leaving the peaceful, easy feeling of Sky and the Ocean and pointing their twanging reverb and lonesome melodies toward world music, surf and cinematic instrumentals.
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They Say...
Detroit's Volebeats' third full-length album, The Sky and the Ocean, is a standout effort demonstrating that their songwriting chops just continue to improve with each album. Once again bandmembers Jeff Oakes (vocals), Matthew Smith (lead guitar, vocals) and Bob McCreedy (guitar, vocals), serve up unforgettable melodic hooks with thoughtful lyrical content. The Volebeats' arrangements are uncluttered and the laid-back, acoustic-based country-folk grooves are embellished mainly by Smith's haunting Shadows-style lead guitar. And that style is particularly gripping on the stunning title track, underscoring artful lyrics with an eerie musical vibe that resembles a '60s movie theme. The band steps it up on an uncharacteristic, although fittingly welcome, rockabilly-tinged number "Warm Weather," which features some rollicking ivory-tickling by one-time bandmember Keir McDonald. Although any of the group's records would be a worthwhile choice, The Sky and the Ocean showcases an extremely ear-pleasing and talented band that has hit its stride.
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| 01. |  |
Somewhere In My Heart |
2:31 |
|
| 02. | |
It's Alright |
3:47 |
|
| 03. | |
Don't I Wish |
3:41 |
|
| 04. | |
Sky And The Ocean |
4:46 |
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| 05. | |
Two Seconds |
3:49 |
|
| 06. | |
Warm Weather |
2:22 |
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| 07. | |
Asking Why |
3:27 |
|
| 08. | |
Dead Of Winter |
3:16 |
|
| 09. | |
Annabel |
4:16 |
|
| 10. | |
Drifting |
2:53 |
|
| 11. | |
Diamonds |
3:44 |
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| 12. | |
Dear Nobody |
2:31 |
|
| 13. | |
Everything |
3:04 |
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| 14. | |
Thought I Was The One |
4:01 |
|
14 Total Tracks, 48:08 Total Length
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Credits
- Jim Diamond - Engineer // Dave Feeny - Engineer // Matthew Smith - Producer // Chris Taylor - Engineer // The Volebeats - Main Performer // Scott Michalski - ? // Keir McDonald - ? // Jeff Oakes - Producer // Russell Ledford - ?
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