The Stills all over the map on latest

Oceans Will Rise, the third album from Canadian Indie rockers The Stills, takes the band to a… Oceans Will Rise, the third album from Canadian Indie rockers The Stills, takes the band to a new level: a lower one. Both of the band’s previous albums shined and were sure to be hard acts to follow, but the task was entirely possible. After all, you do not churn out two noteworthy albums if you don’t have the skill. So where did it go wrong? The band has already proven capable of recovering from a complete stylistic renovation. The five members of The Stills have proven their weight in both the indie and commercial music world, but is it possible that the band has become complacent? Perhaps not, but in its attempt to find where it wants to be categorized, the band has lost the essence of its musical style. The Stills is following a formula for this album. Songwriters often repeat a song’s title several times throughout the track, like during a chorus. This has somehow translated into repeating the song title an inordinate number of times with little verse in between. The band seems to think that this, combined with some long, drawn-out notes, makes for the perfect song. The title words of ‘Hands On Fire’ have to take up more than half of the song play. The best songs are always repeat, repeat, repeat, right? Who doesn’t remember ‘The Macarena’? Although the repetitive and disappointing songs that comprise Oceans Will Rise far outnumber the interesting songs in the collection, some do exist. ‘Snakecharming the Masses’ is so percussion-heavy that it would easily fit in among dance hits were it not for its hypnotic, unconventional vocals. Like a Middle Eastern ’15 Step,’ this surprising foray into ethnic-inspired music results from a genius fusion of Radiohead and Depeche Mode-like styles. The Stills takes the best of both worlds, resulting in a song that rivals the works of the group’s influences. The most successful songs on the album are the tracks that stand out, sounding almost out of place. The K.I.S.S. principle is shown to be quite effective with ‘Everything I Build.’ The simple backing notes and slow-paced vocals are a perfect pair. There are no gimmicks or flashy solos ‘mdash; only a nice, clean sound. Logic Will Break Your Heart, the band’s 2003 debut, was a logical first step, setting a somewhat moody, alt-rock exemplar. While not the most innovative style, it was perfectly satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable on its own. With the addition of Without Feathers, the band changed its token pace and overall style. The band members shunned their expected path: the release of a second, repetitive record. Instead, they evoked a playful spirit with fresh eyes and ears that released listeners from a moody Logic depression. So here we are. Oceans Will Rise completes the sound evolution. However, there is a flaw in the system. The next step? Combine past styles, get back to your roots, and create something unique that will take your music to new heights. Where there should be innovation, there is repetition. Where there should be seamless fusion of style, there is only an indecisive hodge-podge of two styles that should never have been fused. In theory, this record should be amazing. Logic Will Break Your Heart and Without Feathers were different to be sure, but the feeling of the albums stayed true. The Stills excelled in both areas but lost something along the way. Oceans Will Rise is disappointing ‘mdash; not because the band chose to release an unexpected album, but because it was poorly executed. Fans have said that Without Feathers was a disappointment, but they were wrong. It was not Logic, but it held its own and highlighted a side of The Stills that deserved to be shown. Some may argue that this album is incredible merely because it is a step toward the band’s original sound. That does not make it better. Take a step back, and take this record for what it is. This record is confused. By trying to please all listeners, The Stills loses its direction. Most people are pleased and are singing its praises, but it is undeserved. The Stills isan incredible band, but it needs to focus on what it want. If the masses do not like it, then that is their problem. There is nothing left to say but, ‘Close, but no cigar, The Stills!’ Three out of 12 worthy songs cannot redeem this record. Not every album is the best in the world, and Oceans Will Rise merely proves that the band members are fallible and not the immortal rock gods as was originally thought. One can only hope that the band once again finds its stride for the next release. Until then, at least listeners can play the band’s first albums and remember the good old days when The Stills was not so annoying and repetitive.