After Our Lady Peace's 2002 release, "Gravity," the Canadian-based rock group reached the summit of the rock world with a steady string of highly successful albums including "Spiritual Machines" and "Happiness Is Not a Fish You Can Catch," raising themselves to a level of prosperity and reputability that most musicians can only dream about.
Catchy pop lyrics in songs like "Somewhere Out There" and "Life," along with stiff guitar riffs in "All for You" and "Starseed" herded millions of fans into their circle of success, gaining respect from all corners of the rock universe.
Then they disappeared.
For three years OLP didn't release a new album besides a compilation of popular songs recorded live on tour.
"Healthy in Paranoid Times," released Aug. 30, marks OLP's return to the music world.
A major criticism with "Gravity" was the uneven blend of rough, uncouth melodies like "Not Enough" with poppy, sing-a-long radio songs like "Innocent." "Gravity" departed from the smooth flowage of songs stamped with their one-of-a-kind resonance that made them a success in previous records.
With "Healthy in Paranoid Times," OLP attempts to revitalize their old formula by putting out a smooth-sounding, steady album with soft melodies, catchy lyrics, and some rock that isn't afraid to kick a little ass.
It's a mix of the tamed-down refined rock of U2's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" but with a hardened edge similar to Matt Good's "White Light Rock and Roll Review."
Raine Maida shows full control of his ranging vocals, able to reach the height of a Chris Martin pitch.
That album has a generally uplifting temperament that flows well with instrumentals that share congruence with Raine's cheery lyrics.
"Everything I've believed in, has lied to me/ But this could be the best day of my life," Raine sings, in the single "Where Are You?"
OLP has allegedly spent their 1165 days in artistic hibernation writing 43 songs, spending 2000 hours discussing and playing music while recording in 10 different studios.
Although OLP has recaptured their old sound, and "Healthy in Paranoid Times" will bring them back to their superstar status, they've failed to innovate and broaden their artistic horizons.
Rock bands like Radiohead, Coldplay and Matt Good have secured their place at the top of the evolutionary chart because of their ability to adapt and change with imagination and creativity. Conventionality preys on and weeds out the less experimental and more conservative bands, sending them back to the cold obscurity of yesteryear.
However, OLP surely won't face this fate. Though their album may be nothing new, one can't help but be satisfied with the same old.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
