A Portrait of Potential| Posted September 30, 2014
What do you get when you mix the blissful electronic pop stylings of bands like Everfound with the moody, emotive vocals found on a Tenth Avenue North record? Some might say sheer confusion, but confusion is far from the outcome when OBB is the end result. In fact, what you'll find instead is something unexpectedly fun and refreshing.
Having already achieved the success of a popular radio single with "All Eyes On You" and a coveted opening spot on 2013's Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, the three piece trio comprised of brothers Zach, Jacob and Nich Oswald (OBB = Oswald Brothers Band) are set to propel their career to new heights with their first full length album, Bright Side.
The aforementioned "All Eyes On You" hints to the electronic sound they've shifted towards since their debut EP roughly a year ago. While it wasn't the direction I necessarily imagined them taking, it pays off big time. With an upbeat, vertical message and a hook that stands up to most mainstream counterparts, it's easy to see why listeners have gravitated towards this song and its catchy chorus: "All eyes on You and in everything I do, everywhere I move, let Your love shine through."
"Who Cares If We're Dancing" follows along the same high energy wavelength, with the sweet and sincere "Looking For A Girl" sure to win over some female fans with its positive message of respect and purity: "All that make-up is make believe / The truth is that I wanna see her put Someone before me."
The Tenth Avenue influence comes into play when the band takes it down a notch and offers raw and cutting lyrics that openly worship while still speaking straight into the hurting souls who are listening. "When hope is just a fading dream and doubt is pressing down on me, help me to believe You're above it all:" so sings out the the prayerfully vulnerable "Above It All."
Perhaps no greater example comes than on "My Relief," taking that same emotional grit and spinning it into something much more lighthearted and true-to-size. It paints a portrait of this band's potential, using glorious shades of color and originality.
Closing Thoughts:
While it's clear that the Oswald brothers' sound still needs some fine tuning, they are leaps and bounds above many other bands in their genre (and at a young age, mind you), with solid lyrics and tight melodies to prove it. With time and maturity, I can foresee this trio going on to do incredible things in the Christian market and beyond. Technicalities aside, this is a strong debut from a band that has the potential to stay the course for years to come.
Song To Download Now:
"All Eyes On You" (Get it on iTunes here.)
to add lyrics if not listed.
