Is it a hit, *hit or miss?

The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin Vol. 1  by antiGUY

The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin Vol. 1
Label: Republic Records
Hit, *hit or Miss?:  Hit
Rating: 

When I heard that The Soundtrack of Our Lives was releasing a new album, I had serious doubts that would even come close to matching their previous album Behind The Music.  Call me doubting aG because half-way through the first song on their new album, Origin Vol. 1, I saw that I had no reason to fear that these Swedish rockers couldn't pull it off again.  In fact, my biggest fear that they would just rehash their last album was not answered. The band instead took the opportunity to grow musically and stretch out a big creatively. 

I've always loved this band because they took the psychedelic rock of the 60s and the pre-punk of the early 70s and made it into something modern.  From the word go this new CD captured my attention. The opening track "Believe I've Found" perfectly conveys the late 60s vibe in a 21st century groove. It's a mid-tempoed song with slightly gruffy vocals and a captivating melody, but the real magic moments on this album begin with "Transcendental Suicide" a song that you could image The Who cranking out mid career, especially in the transitions.  Huge verses and choruses and instrumental interludes, this song has classic FM radio hit written all over it.  

Fans of nu garage will love "Bigtime," it's not quite the raw rock you'd expect but the stereo vocals and driving rhythm are just crying out to be cranked at top volume when your cruising in your car.   

"Heading For A Breakdown" really showcases the band's love for 60's Brit pop. The slide guitar is a nice touch too.  "Mother One Track Mind" takes us into the early 70s glam era, while this isn't one of the strongest tracks on the album it's a cool excursion midway through the album. 

Next the band breaks it down to a slower mood with the beautifully executed "Midnight Children." It doesn't have the hooks of a radio hit but it's fun retro tribute to Lou Reed's early style. 

Never fear the band kick things back into the Brit pop heydays with "Lone Summer Dream", a song that sounds like it was stolen from the Beach Boys Smile sessions. This is a great classic rock pop number. But it's the next song that will help get your psychedelic groove on. "Royal Explosion (Part II)" has it all, the duel layered vocals, raunchy guitars, fuzz lead guitar lines and a lead guitar that sounds like it was straight off of Alice Cooper's "Billion Dollar Babies" 

"Wheels Of Boredom" is a more straight ahead mild mannered rocker, that's cool in the context of the entire album but probably wouldn't stand on its own.  It's the next track " Borderline" that instantly became my favorite.  It's pretty simple but has a slightly transitional era Beatles vibe to it, think "Rain" with more pop focused sensibility.  

The band follows that up with the moody ballad "Song For The Others".  The raw emotion really comes through in the vocals on this one as if vocalist Ebbot Lundberg is on the edge of a breakdown.  But it's the contrast of the optimistic message against the melancholy vocals that really makes this song standout.  

"Age Of No Reply" borders nu garage but still stays firmly planted in the early 70s glam meets 60s Brit pop tradition. "To Somewhere Else" changes things up quite a bit venturing into a Doors like sound complete with the somber Morrison like vocals that touch lightly on "The End," the signature ringing guitars and even a Hammond organ filling out the sound.  A really nice touch. 

Instead of going out with a hard rocking bang, TSTOOL instead create a columniation of their influences with the trippy "World Bank," a song that would have sent plenty of people into another realm in 1967, but can take the listeners of 2005 on a trip as well. 

Overall, fans of classic rock should immediately warm up to this album. For younger listeners this is a perfect introduction into the sounds of yesteryear that somehow got lost along the way but sounds just as vibrant and perhaps even more exciting in a 21st century context. The Soundtrack of Our Lives not only live up to their proud musical past, they take things to the next level with Origin Volume 1.  And for those that are disgusted with the garbage dominating the charts and radio theses days, get your yarbles off and check this CD out as soon as possible.  It may restore a little of your faith in the major label machine. 

Tracks: Believe I've Found Transcendental Suicide Bigtime Heading For A Breakdown Mother One Track Mind Midnight Children Lone Summer Dream Royal Explosion (Part II) Wheels Of Boredom Borderline Song For The Others Age Of No Reply To Somewhere Else World Bank

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