Ocean Mind – 2 Ready 2 Live

Ocean Mind are a very special case of band, from the ones I happen to endure often while writing a review. They are special because there is an aura in their compositions that I could characterize addictive. They make you think while listening to the eleven compositions of their album ”2 Ready 2 Live” that they do things very simple, without thinking twice about the same subject. Maybe that’s why the result proves to be a very enjoying listening that will make you sit on your chair, maybe with a beer or a cigarette and just relax while it flows around you.

In less than forty minutes, the power trio plays a rocking mix which may remind you of old legends like The Doors, to our native band Nightstalker and of course some Spiritual Beggars. Their sound is all American to me and this is to be praised, their vocals bring back Woodstock memories and the simplicity of the compositions makes them stick in your head and start singing them from the second time you’ll listen to them. The production is ear-friendly, as they haven’t loaded their sound with heaviness that is not needed.

You may think you’re dealing with another so-called stoner rock band, as we tend to have a rise of this genre (some just play it because it’s trendy but that’s another case) but Ocean Mind‘s roots dive deep way back into the late ’60s to early ’70s approach and this shows on their music as well. They didn’t create this album to just be one more band in the pile of all those same sounding ones that make no difference. Ocean Mind make the difference because they simply don’t want to sound special or trendy and that’s their biggest success in this album.

The album may be easy to listen but doesn’t also mean it’s a cheesy one. You’ll find many tracks that may express this feeling of being cool and relaxing (I personally love ”Scissor Tongue” for example and I believe that ”Heavy Load” could fit to a drunk Johnny Cash). I praise the guys for sticking to their personal ideas and it seems that this sound they made was a result of pure love for rock music on its whole, not depending on genres or trends. I wonder how they would sound live, it would be hell of a challenge to see them transmitting this on stage. Until then, this album is a great opportunity to get to know them.

Aggelos “Redneck” Katsouras.