Burn, Burn by Our Lady Peace

Trail_Blazer · 06-08-2009 1:38am #1

So not sure how many of you know or listen to the best rock band to come from Canada, Our Lady Peace - But if there is someone/s that do, I figured I'd write a quick review on their newest album.

For long-time fans of the band, you know that ever since 2002's "Gravity" album, OLP have distinctly changed their unique/different sound to a more mainstream/commercial type sound.

Don't get me wrong, I really have no problem with this. While I do miss Mike Turner playing lead guitar, I feel that his replacement in Steve Mazur is very passionate when he does play. I also miss lead singer Raine Maida's awesome falsetto vocals as well.

Burn Burn is a pretty damned good album overall, I'd say. Despite it's sleeky commercial sound, it plays a lot more streamlined than their previous disc in 2005's Healthy in Paranoid Times. There seems to be a bit more passion in both the way the instruments sound, and lyrically too. Unfortunately Maida's falsetto can only be heard on 2 songs, in very little doses, as it is all but non-existant on this record. With Healthy in Paranoid Times, I felt OLP sounded more like their old selves, especially on the fantastic track "Angels/Losing/Sleep".

Regardless, Maida described Burn, Burn as a 'proper rock album' - In that there was no outside influences, since he was the one who produced for the first time. And it is a straight-forward, hard rockin' album, save for a song here or there. But if you're expecting a return to Naveed or Happiness' sound, you'll definitely be disappointed.

Because I'm a fan of the band, and always will be, I still enjoyed Burn, Burn a lot. I'm not going to go into describing how each song sounds, as I a not a professional at reviewing, and probably wouldn't know what I was saying anyway.

But as far as best songs on the album, look for these:

-Escape Artist
-Refuge
-Monkey Brains
-Paper Moon

If you've never heard of Our Lady Peace, I might suggest checking out some of their older records such as Clumsy or Spiritual Machines. If you're a long-time fan, and can accept that the band is no longer in their 20's and have changed their sound quite a bit - But still like their music regardless, give Burn, Burn a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised.

EyesClosed · 10-09-2009 2:03am

I really like this album, the change in style is grand I don't mind as its there choice. I am a big fan and wish they would play here stupid Ireland not knowing them, they supported avril lavigne years ago and they were great i don't think they have played here since. I really like dreamland and papermoon. For new fans the greatest hits album is a good start but the live album rocks.
Enjoy

Burn, Burn by Our Lady Peace

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