Ozma - Pasadena

Ozma - Pasadena
Release May 15, 2007
Record Label: About a Girl Records
Listen @ Myspace

When describing Ozma, it is impossible to avoid the comparisons to Weezer, but I have always thought of Ozma’s Rock and Roll Part 3 to be picking up where Weezer left off with Pinkerton. Both are two of my favorite albums of all time. Then I was let down by both bands with Ozma's Spending Time On The Borderline and everything Weezer has released since. After hearing their new album, Pasadena, all the way through, it is safe to say that Ozma is back.

The album kicks off with an oldie, “No One Needs To Know.” The newly recorded version sounds great and is followed by the first new track, “Barriers,” a great introduction to the new sound of Ozma. Next comes another old song, “Eponine,” originally released on Spending Time…, which is driven by a great rhythm section by the new drummer, Kenn Shane. Another high point of the album comes on “Heartache vs. Heartbreak,” which features guest vocals by Rachel Haden of The Rentals. “Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)” starts out sounding like something out of a 70’s musical and then breaks into the classic Ozma sound. The album loses a bit of energy toward the end but finishes on a high note with “Underneath My Tree” and “Straight Flush.”

I must say that I was skeptical of this album after being disappointed by their last effort, but times have changed, and so have they. For me, this will be one of the most important releases in 2007 as Ozma have taken a giant step toward reaching the energy level of Rock and Roll Part 3. This album will appeal to the older fans as well as people who are just discovering them.

Key Tracks: Barriers, Heartache vs. Heartbreak, Incarnation Blues, Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)

Tracklist
1. No One Needs To Know
2. Barriers
3. Eponine
4. Fight The Darkness
5. Heartache vs. Heartbreak
6. Incarnation Blues
7. Lunchbreak (Cobras Theme)
8. Motorology 3:39
9. I Wonder
10. Underneath My Tree
11. Straight Flush