This is O.A.R.'s First release, The Wanderer. This is the re-released version from 2001. (If some of you are wondering about the date.) I do not know much about O.A.R. other than this CD and I'd have to say I was somewhat impressed. These song are catchy and have a nice cool pub/club feel, just kicking back.
1. Missing Pieces
With a cool smooth upbeat groove O.A.R. can't help but make you sway back and forth. The vocal duet at times can be lightly off from each other, however when they connect it's pretty sweet. Also during this song they have this cool thing were they just yell alalehoooo. At least that how I think it sounds. It makes me feel tingly. This gives the vibe of being a college student down at the local pub or party listening to the hometown band. 4/5
2. That Was a Crazy Game of Poker
Poker starts with a very beautiful acoustic intro, then roughly transitions to the song; I didn't care for the break in flow there. However, once it gets to the verse you can't help but go with the drive of the acoustic riff. From then on the song stays strong but drags on a little too long and also suffers from bad transitions. 3/5
3. Black Rock
Black Rock is a small change from Poker, going back to the same flow of Missing Pieces, with a slower tempo and more of a half note feel. You can feel the reggae influences in this song. The vocals are beautiful and harmonization puts the butter on the muffin. Black Rock suffers from only some minor flaws however the biggest is the ending, which is extremely abrupt, other than that, it's a gooden. 4/5
4. Conquering Fools
Fools has a very 50's rock feel and drive then switches to what sounds like the Poker course musically. It’s up there with Black Rock and Missing Pieces. One of the negatives is the guitar solo at the end seems to drag on a little too long. 4/5
5. Get Away
Here's where the reggae style I believe is overused. This song really has nothing that would catch your interests, too thin and quit dull in my tastes. It's really one of the weaker tracks on the album. 2/5
6. About an Hour Ago
Nice acoustic song, nice story too. The singers voice does not seem to fit the music or lyrics at times. He seems too brash and forceful where it should be just smooth and calm. This wouldn't be one of the songs you'd want to hear first. Just not solid enough. 3/5
7. Toy Store
Toy Store in the begging starts with a nice soft guitar solo with acoustic in the backing. Transitions to the song fairly well, however it just seems to lose interest. It just takes to long to get to the good stuff. Like most of the others you might just have bare with it to see if you like it. 2.5/5
8. About Mr. Brown
This song saves the album near its end. Getting some volume and energy out, it makes you want to sway. It also has the alalehooo that just gives you that oomph. It's one of the better songs on the other half of the album. 4/5
9. Ladanay
The last song of O.A.R.'s first album starts with a little acoustic along with well-placed drum fills. There's a transition that doesn't song that keen and the lyrics take a little long for the average listener to bear. The verses are somewhat okay but the hook of the song comes from the course, ladanay. That's really the only catchy part of the song. It's not a strong closing but it is acceptable. 3/5
Quality:
The sound is quite not suburb studio quality but I don't think that would have worked with this album anyway. So in a way, it enhances the album. Gives it that hometown band vibe which is present through out the whole album. There sound is quite thin and all the interments are heard clearly.
Final thought:
A better than average first album for O.A.R., a couple of classics and some not so classics. (Advanced language.) I would recommend buying the album to give it a look, the price is right. If you have iTunes just get the highest rated songs.
Album: 3.5/5
