Clumsy, perhaps the most famous album of Canadian alternative rock band Our Lady Peace, kicks off with a bang: "but ordinary's just not good enough today" wails vocalist Raine Maida in his signature falsetto, before launching into the chorus of Superman's Dead. The call out on media is followed up by the eccentric Automatic Flowers- much like almost every Our Lady Peace song, it has a curious plot to it, with Maida describing an unnamed woman taking solace in a pop-up book of flowers from her childhood.
Seven songs in the title track is finally revealed. Emotional, even for something written by Our Lady Peace, Clumsy is said by Maida to be: "about making decisions. There is a connection between the song Clumsy and it being the title of the album. The lyric; 'I'll be waving my hand/watching you drown/ watching you scream' is about seeing something, but not seeing it for what it really is. You may decide to help... or to just wave back."
The song following Clumsy is potentially one of their most under-rated. Hello Oskar is the perfect embodiment of Our Lady Peace's grunge influences, from the borderline hysterical vocals to the repetitive chords. However, it is Car Crash that leaves a lasting impression of the album. It is the last song on the album, but it could be in the first, with what little coherent words there are dissolving into animalistic croons by the end of the five minutes, supported a simple, striking bassline.
Clumsy is considered by many to be overrated beyond repair, but it would be hard not to be fond of of at least half the songs on the album.
No comments:
Post a Comment