Ours "Ballet the Boxer 1"

In my mind, one of the most underrated bands of the 21st century.  Not that they've been prolific, mind you.  This is album #4, five years removed from album #3 (referenced in this blog's initial post), which came six years after the first two albums went bang-bang in '01 and '02.  This was their very first radio "hit"...



...and their last.  This isn't anywhere close to being one of their better "radio ready" songs.  And did I mention that the first three albums were all major label releases?  With all that major label budget money?  Hell, the last one had Rick Rubin spinning knobs!  That year alone Rubin also produced albums by Weezer, Metallica, Linkin Park, Slipknot and Neil Diamond (!).  The Ours album barely sniffed the Heatseekers chart while three of the others mentioned went #1.  I'd be frustrated, too, if I was band leader Jimmy Gnecco.  He put out a solo record three years ago that sounded like a beaten man to me even though I eventually kept it. There is a hint in that post (if you are one of the few who actually clicked the link and read it, sorry for the repetition) that will serve well for this new album......multiple plays.

When you possess the vocal instrument that Gnecco has, you have a valid reason to mix it prominently, unlike Donna Buffalo.  There are all the past comparisons, both vocally and guitar-wise, to U2 and the current ones to Muse singer Matthew Bellamy.  Both guys are wiry fellows whose vocal power must originate somewhere around their ankles.  Yet, on this Boxing Ballet album, I was slightly unsettled at the production value during the initial spin.  It was slightly thin, the drums were more commanding and the voice was less overt.  Replays, however, quashed my concerns and this album will join the other two Ours records in the "Feature 500" in my office. 

It was only after spin #3 that I begin to search for info.  I found a brilliant Canadian interview that answered all my questions.  This was a PledgeMusic-funded record with a really small goal, so no major label cash...and no major label oversight.  It's the album they wanted to make, the way they wanted to make it.  Gnecco played drums on 90% of it (a-ha!) instead of guitar.  He stated that he always felt stuck behind his guitar in a live setting and he wanted to be free of that feeling for this album.  His final statement brings it home..."Well, we’re going to do everything our way from here on out. I think that’s the only way that you can accomplish anything great. For too long we’ve been forced to pull our punches and hedge our bets. I don’t think that helps at all. So this is just the beginning of us being bold and not apologizing about it. If I sound like a firecracker right now, sorry, but I’m not [laughs]. I’m sorry that I’m not sorry. I’m tired of having to hear what everybody else thinks or wants. Go start your own band and make your own records then." 

I love this guy...

Not the way I normally do this, but I'm going to close with one of my favorite tracks from the album.  This is live (and you really have to put yourself in front of this band at some point in your life...you will definitely "get it" then) and it varies slightly from the studio, which opens with a hint of old Climax Blues Band harmonies and develops into what could eventually pass for a track from the next U2 record...