So with that long list of moaning and complaining, why 4 stars? Because even with those faults, the music is still above average just because of the talent of the band. All For You is the heaviest on the album, and retains the familiar OLP sound. Innocent, Made Of Steel, Somewhere Out There and Do You Like It explore soft/heavy melodies and uplifting lyrics. The best songs though, are the ones that aren't so sunny. Sell My Soul soars and recedes and possesses wondeful dynamics. Bring Back The Sun is the albums strogest track, it is docile, remorseful and moving. Not Enough is fairly good as well, although Bob Rock's horrid producing track record rubs off on this one. (This guy did Motley Crue for God's sake). Today and A Story About a Girl are basically filler.

So, after all that said, Gravity is a good purchase for fans of OLP because it's OLP and it isn't bad. It's actually pretty damn good. But if this is the band's new direction, I don't know if I will be able to say that about future releases. Thanks for reading.

Dan


Murder-suicide of artistic credibility.   June 22, 2002
Steve Gold (Toronto)
32 out of 34 found this review helpful

I'm going to qualify each of the two stars I'm giving this record, and it's going to take me a few paragraphs. Those who'd like to rate this review "unhelpful" simply because they disagree with it are advised to read the below, or at least pretend to read to it (most will do neither).

I am an Our Lady Peace fan. I've been so for years, and there isn't much I don't know about the band. From the 1992's independant video "Out of Here" featuring the long-departed drummer Jim Newell, to lost songs "Home" and "Sleeping In," to the source material for the band's disjointed concept record Spiritual Machines, I've done my homework.

OLP has taken on many guises in the last decade, and I've welcomed each. They've evolved from a gritty grunge band to an alternative sensation, with the records Naveed and Clumsy, and then redefined themselves completely with the brilliantly challenging Happiness . . . Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch.

I consider those records a trilogy. There are somewhat trivial reasons . . . each has Sol Fox on the cover, the first single and lead-off track has the word "man" in the title -- but they also map a clear creative trajectory. You can see, or rather hear, the band striving to become itself. And with Happiness, they did: any trace of their grunge and alternative roots was shed, and what remained was a coherent, complete, and stimulating album which contained the music of a band working passionately, feverishly, and as a whole.

Predictably, the record sold a fraction of the more accessible Clumsy.

Happiness was followed by a good, but fractured disc exporing the concept of machines who become, intellectually and emotionally, human. Coming scarcely a year after Happiness, I really didn't care for an album that seemed a sudden step backward; the band spoke openly about simplifying their sound, getting back to basics, and so on, and the results were uneven.

But all the albums were held together by each member's quirky talents: Raine Maida's unique voice, Jeremy Taggart's innovative drumming, and so forth. From phase to phase, the albums were always recognizable as Our Lady Peace.

Under their contract with Sony, the band had complete creative control, which they've now signed away for a new contract with Metallica producer Bob Rock.

Under this new contract Rock reigns. He cut two songs from Gravity because he didn't care for them. He told Taggart -- arguably the band's most talented member -- to be "less busy" on the drums, and he directed Raine Maida to tone down his distinctive vocal quirks.

It was in this atmosphere of simplification and mediocrity that founding guitarist Mike Turner left the band. I can't say I blame him. I don't blame Rock either; the remaining three members willingly signed the new contract, and should shoulder significant responsibility for the band's descent into easily-swallowed arena-rock-pop.

New guitarist Steve Mazur was not recruited from thousands of fans worldwide. Such a contest was conducted but Mazur was only taken on after filling in for Turner as a session guitarist, even as the contest took place.

The record itself is a mess of meaningless lyrics, tedious power-chords and thin, forumalaic song structure. Maida, who has written with intelligence and passion, tosses off such gems as "I can be anything you want me to be/A punching bag/A piece of string, oh/That reminds you not to think."

Taggart's distinct jazz-style percussion has been watered down so as to be indistinguishable from the time-keeping of Nickelback, Default, Creed, and the like.

Under Rock's direction, the band no longer plays to its strengths. It plays to the demands of the marketplace -- and if the above mentioned bands are selling, this is the type of music OLP must make.

Teeny-boppers will enjoy the record and the accompanying video because "RAIN IZ SUCH A HOTTIEE!!!!!" and because of the pop sensibilities of the record. Fans of music, fans of Our Lady Peace's sonically diverse but always impressive past efforts, will find Gravity tiresome, cold, and temporary.


Good, But Not Good Enough for OLP   June 30, 2002
Dan (Oregon)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Well, I guess I'm just going to be saying what a lot of people have already said: As a radio-friendly rock record, "Gravity" is pretty good. Better than most of the other bands you'll hear on the airwaves. But "Gravity" just can't hold a candle to ANY of Our Lady Peace's previous releases. Mike Turner's creative guitar melodies are gone in favor of playing which is much more fueled by bland power-chords. Raine Maida's singing has lost most of the eccentricity that made it unique, which goes hand-in-hand with cliche lyrics. Bob Rock's production seems only to have watered down the music, getting rid of the mood that helped make "Spiritual Machines" great. And fans of "Naveed," don't be fooled - this is not a return to "Naveed's" style. While both albums are certainly heavier than the three which separate them, "Naveed" still had inspired music, thoughtful lyrics, and quirky singing; "Gravity" does not.

So, as an Our Lady Peace record, "Gravity" is disappointing. But it's definitely still enjoyable and catchy. In fact, from any other band, I'd probably find this album rather impressive. It's just that Our Lady Peace are capable of a LOT more. In the end, "Gravity" is a worthwhile purchase - just don't expect it to be as good as the band's past offerings.


Raine Maida said Mike was limited no Raine this is limited..   June 23, 2002
Mr. Rm Clarke (Spalding,, Lincs. United Kingdom)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

My feelings about this album... well it is poor because Our Lady Peace always had a unique sound and now quite frankly now they sound like everyone else out there. I'm going to agree with the others who have reviewed this album that Bob Rock is no Arnold Lanni this is a luke warm album. They produced the whole thing in ten weeks and believe me you can tell the whole thing feels rushed, I mean even the cover look at it, grey yeah it is quite fitting. Some think this is a return to OLP's roots I disagree I've been a fan of there's eight years If there going to make more albums like this they should change there name I don't want the words Our Lady Peace on this material. Thank you Mr Bob Rock.


The Pros and Cons of Gravity   August 7, 2002
Alana Nagy (Ontario, Canada)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

As a long-time fan of Our Lady Peace, it was quite a surprise to pick up my copy of Gravity and find that the band's style of music had changed drastically during the recording of the new album. Not only are the lyrics noticeably simplified, but also, the vocals are much deeper and huskier to the point that the rock star's trademark 'nasal' voice is now almost unrecognizable. However, the change is not necessarily a negative one; I enjoyed the smoother vocals and strong bass lines that define Gravity. Steve Mazur has proven a competent replacement for former guitarist Mike Turner. Producer Bob Rock has taken Raine Maida's lyrics and removed much of its cryptic quality, and as a result the songs are generally straightforward and rely less on metaphors to get their meaning across. Our Lady Peace has lost some of the uniqueness that originally made them stand out as one of the leaders in the world of rock music. Regardless of the new style, I grew to appreciate Gravity and found myself listening to it frequently.

Fans will enjoy the fast-paced "All For You" and the anthemic "Do You Like It", the two opening tracks. The majority of Gravity's songs are easy to listen to and radio-friendly, perhaps a result of the band's becoming more mainstream. "Sell My Soul" is the odd one out. It has a slow, eerie quality that one grows to appreciate after a few repetitions of the CD. "Innocent", the new single and one of my personal favourites, is an uplifting song about facing personal fears and overcoming weakness. No matter who the audience, listeners will likely find themselves identifying with the story behind the lyrics and singing along. "A Story About A Girl" is an enigmatic song with a catchy, stuck-in-your-head melody interspersed with strong guitar riffs by Mike Turner (who makes three cameo appearances on the album). Lyricwise, "Not Enough" stands out as one of the calmer songs, yet is far from being dull. Raine's soulful vocals give a rugged quality to the song in what may be the one track most resembling Our Lady Peace's older works.

Overall, I recommend Gravity to those who enjoy decent rock music that is just a tad unconventional. While critics will undoubtedly be pleased with Raine's new style of singing, it is likely that hardcore fans will miss the old sound they have become accustomed to. It is clear that Our Lady Peace is going through the process of rediscovering themselves as a band, of evolving and experimenting with new styles.

Evolving, but into what?