Untitled Document

     What they do have is a radio-friendly sound that appeals to a wide audience - -they have even played for the troops overseas with the USO. After finding a bit of success in the past, the band kept the same formula on Joyride, their third full-length album and their first with Sanctuary Records.
     The capable Rich Mouser (Weezer, Corrosion of Conformity, Spock's Beard) produced, engineered and mixed Joyride. Mouser made Doug Eldridge's bass line pretty prominent, a credit to both the bassist and mixer as too often in this genre the bass is lost beneath the guitars. This isn't to say that Ric Ivanisevich and Thomas Flowers' guitars play second (and third) fiddle, but they are kept at an even keel. Flowers' vocals are crisp and clear despite the duel guitars. Drummer Scott Devours provides a good foundation for the music, and has some interesting drum rolls scattered throughout the album.
     Lyrically the song topics range from relationship issues, to the poor state of the world, to the melancholy of Generation Y.
     "Fountain & Vine" is a reality check with a view of the poor. Flowers wants to leave them all, or get rid of them but can't. The song is punctuated by a short guitar solo by Ivanisevich that, unfortunately, was not allowed to fully let loose. The riff had nice potential but, in keeping the song at a radio-friendly length, it was truncated for a chorus.
     Oleander likes to open with a the low key intro that builds into their regular sound, as they did on "Leave It All Behind" and "Rainy Day". Its a good form, but the over-use gets tiring. The one time that it was successful was on the album-ending track. The soft, acoustic picking guitar introduction to "Runaway Train" is beautiful. With some violins, and smooth drum work and a late simple guitar solo, it is easily the best track on the album.
     Unspectacular yet pleasing on the ear, this Joyride is simply a pleasant cruise down the same old highway. Feel free to join Oleander on the road.

	OLEANDER JOYRIDE SANCTUARY	LINKS: oleander.net
	Oleander is a poisonous flower that is indigenous to NoCal. While the lead singer of the band Oleander is ironically named Flowers, they are anything but poisonous. The sonic Oleander fits firmly in the post-grunge rock genre with bands like 3 Doors Down and Nickleback. While the vocals have a bit of an edge to it like Stabbing Westward, Oleander lacks the now-broken-up band's attitude, electronics and angst.
What they do have is a radio-friendly sound that appeals to a wide audience - -they have even played for the troops overseas with the USO. After finding a bit of success in the past, the band kept the same formula on Joyride, their third full-length album and their first with Sanctuary Records. The capable Rich Mouser (Weezer, Corrosion of Conformity, Spock's Beard) produced, engineered and mixed Joyride. Mouser made Doug Eldridge's bass line pretty prominent, a credit to both the bassist and mixer as too often in this genre the bass is lost beneath the guitars. This isn't to say that Ric Ivanisevich and Thomas Flowers' guitars play second (and third) fiddle, but they are kept at an even keel. Flowers' vocals are crisp and clear despite the duel guitars. Drummer Scott Devours provides a good foundation for the music, and has some interesting drum rolls scattered throughout the album. Lyrically the song topics range from relationship issues, to the poor state of the world, to the melancholy of Generation Y. "Fountain & Vine" is a reality check with a view of the poor. Flowers wants to leave them all, or get rid of them but can't. The song is punctuated by a short guitar solo by Ivanisevich that, unfortunately, was not allowed to fully let loose. The riff had nice potential but, in keeping the song at a radio-friendly length, it was truncated for a chorus. Oleander likes to open with a the low key intro that builds into their regular sound, as they did on "Leave It All Behind" and "Rainy Day". Its a good form, but the over-use gets tiring. The one time that it was successful was on the album-ending track. The soft, acoustic picking guitar introduction to "Runaway Train" is beautiful. With some violins, and smooth drum work and a late simple guitar solo, it is easily the best track on the album. Unspectacular yet pleasing on the ear, this Joyride is simply a pleasant cruise down the same old highway. Feel free to join Oleander on the road.
----Scott Olivenbaum