Labels: Transit of Venus
Review by: Andy Malcolm
The background of this band is pretty neat, and worthy of an aside at the start of the review. One member of the
band was once found in Velocity Girl. And another in Swiz. Sweet! This band does not sound like an amalgamation of
Swiz and Velocity Girl. Julie Ocean is good ole fashioned college indie rock with an injection of power pop. Now,
that’s not the kind of rawer, intentionally poorly recorded power pop currently trendy with the hardcore punx,
rather more the refined, cleaner variety popularised by the likes of Weezer and pilfered from 60s guitar pop bands.
Julie Ocean rock through a mere 25 minutes to play their 10 songs, and one of ’em – “Here Comes Danny” – takes up a
5th of that time. “#1 Song” is perhaps fittingly the #1 song on the album, a tooth rottingly sweet track that
is carried by jangly guitars, airy vocals, great backing and a stupidly catchy chorus. “Complications” gives it
a huge run for it’s money, cruising along mightily. Things are brought to a spirited close with the fastest song,
the free wheeling “Looking at You”, which is another corker. And I am left with a smile on my face.
Basically you have here a breezy, summer album of two minute long songs that can happily rub up against the likes
of the Buzzcocks, Weezer, the Beach Boys and the Wedding Present, and not cause offence. If that sounds like your
kind of pop music (and it really should), then I recommend tracking this CD down and crossing your fingers that the
sun stays out a bit longer. I need this one on my MP3 player, STAT!