Beneath the Rhythm and Sound is an album by the American alternative rock band the Ocean Blue, released in 1993.[2][3]

The first single, "Sublime", peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.[4][5] The band supported the album by touring with Suddenly, Tammy![6]

Production

The album was recorded in Nassau, Bahamas.[7] The lyrics were written by lead singer David Schelzel, who wanted to return to the song-based writing of the first album, instead of concentrating mostly on the production.[8][9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
Chicago Tribune	[11]
The Philadelphia Inquirer	[12]
The Record	[13]
The Tampa Tribune	[1]

Trouser Press thought that "the self-produced Beneath the Rhythm and Sound lacks the outside opinion it clearly needed; a more seasoned set of hands could’ve brought 'Sublime' (which pleads for multi-tracked backing vocals) and 'Either/Or' ... to much fuller fruition."[14] The Washington Post determined that "this Anglophile Pennsylvania quartet cultivates a generalized mid-'80s British guitar-band sound on upbeat tunes like 'Peace of Mind' and 'Sublime', but when the pace slips toward the sauntering the debt to Morrissey and Marr becomes formidable."[15] The Columbus Dispatch called Beneath the Rhythm and Sound "a lush, jangly, alluring collection of rock songs."[16]

The St. Petersburg Times praised "Dave Lau's light sax on 'Bliss is Unaware'."[17] The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that "you'd be hard-pressed to find a record more bland and blanched than the third release from the Ocean Blue ... Choosing to set sail on a listless sea of English pop styles, David Schelzel affects the adenoidal mannerisms of New Order's Bernard Sumner, Haircut 100's Nick Heyward, and a host of Postcard-label Scottish acts."[12] The Chicago Tribune stated that the band "rings in a subtle alternative rock sound with swirling keyboards."[11] The Record commended "the guitar and keyboard interplay that adds tension to 'Don't Believe Everything You Hear'."[13]

AllMusic wrote: "Leaving behind the mellow minimalism of their first two records, the Pennsylvanians gave their ethereal music a brighter, glossier sheen on this record."[10]

Track listing

References