Ohn plays an electronic brand of pop-rock that comes out sounding like it is from a different period of music, especially during tracks like “Dear Prudence”. With hints of Alanis Morrissette and Natalie Imbruglia during this track, Ohn makes a ploy to ensnare listeners of that genre. While the music has been heard in similar ways before, Ohn incorporates newer approaches and styles to turn the track into something relevant for 2007.
The style that Ohn creates during their “Revolutionary Revolution” is solid throughout the entirety of the track. Where it could be easy for the act to include arrangements that are not that challenging, the arrangements on songs like “Big Lie” push the vocals into another realm. “What Does Soul Represent”” is a track that is much more chill and influenced by the jazz styles of prior generations, and while the vocals withdraw during the track, there is still a vocal component to the song. “Any Way U Look At It” is a track that speeds things up slightly faster than “What Does Soul Represent””, including more in the way of vocals, but allows the act to have some institutional memory. The band mixes perfect amounts of instrumentation and vocals, in order to make something stronger than just an act striving to make it big on the radio. The disc works much better as a down-tempo, chill type of album rather than a “get up and rock” type of thing. With this accepted, individuals can be impressed by the ability of Ohn to craft a cohesive sound to their “Revolutionary Revolution” that while using other styles, does not fall into a rut of similar sounds.
I do not know where Ohn could go for their next album, but if the act wanted to craft something similar to what awaits listeners on “Revolutionary Revolution”, chances are that there will be little in the way of complaints on my part. Tracks like “Attention” are stand-out tracks like how “Bubblegum” was the stand-out track on their prior disc. The funkiness of “Bubblegum” is replaced largely by a more chill and house-influenced sound on “Revolutionary Revolution”. Ohn is an act that comes out with something that is challenging and new without going too far out on a limb; “Revolutionary Revolution” is a disc that individuals can get behind without having to inculcate themselves with cutting-edge music. Pick up this album wherever you can find it.
Top Tracks: What Does Soul Represent?, Big Lie
Rating: 6.5/10
Rating: 6.5/10
[JMcQ]