Concert review: O.A.R., Augustana

Above: O.A.R.'s Marc Roberge . File photo.

O.A.R.'s new album is titled "Live From Madison Square Garden."

A scruffy parking lot in Westport -- where the band performed Thursday night -- will never be mistaken for the fabled New York City arena, but it was a serviceable site for an evening of mild-mannered revelry.

The well-scrubbed audience of approximately 2,000 looked like the crowd at a massive college campus blow-out. Most appeared familiar with O.A.R. (Of a Revolution), but social networking was a bigger priority than music for most.

O.A.R. served this constituency well by providing almost two hours of genial background music. From opening song "Hey Girl" to the encore of "Love and Memories," the band dished up bland, easily digestible pap. Their funk is sexless, their rock is bloodless and their stabs at reggae are faint and colorless.

The band's most dedicated fans didn't see it that way. Many cheered every obvious solo, sang along with each platitude and pumped their fists in time with the pallid beat. While their supporters may consider them a hungrier version of the Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R. more closely resembles the frothy Australian act Men At Work.

A brief cover of "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" was mildly diverting. It morphed into fan favorite "That Was a Crazy Game of Poker." That, and sing-along "I Feel Home," provided the night's most compelling moments.

Most of the throng was too busy talking to notice, but California band Augustana opened the show with a remarkably capable set of breezy melodic rock. Vocalist Dan Layus and organist John Vincent were particularly impressive. The young band merits consideration beyond its current one-hit-wonder status. Many fans briefly stopped talking to herald the familiar opening strains of "Boston."

The song would be at home on a compilation of soft rock hits of the '70s, right between offerings by Bread and Seals & Crofts. Few things could have sounded sweeter on a gorgeous summer evening.

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[zombiejacks]

"Their funk is sexless, their rock is bloodless and their stabs at reggae are faint and colorless."

...that's a great sentence, i hope they never see it though.

for those looking for a great show this weekend, check out Casiotone For the Painfully Alone sunday night at the jackpot in lawrence.

http://www.myspace.com/cftpa

support live music | zombie jacks

[Casey]

It is about time someone tells it how it is about OAR. Why they are so popular on the college scene I will never know. Terrible.

[sincitydisciple]

Not a huge OAR fan, but is obvious that Mr. Brownlee is even less of one. Why would you bother to go to a show for a band you obviously hate? It's like asking a 4 year old, what they think of brussel sprouts...

I had a better time at the Old 97's show the night before, but thought despite the pathetic behavior of most of the crowd, it was a fun show. I've never seen so many people taking pictures of each other at a concert (especially since they weren't showing any skin...). But, in the realm of sorority sisters and backwards hat frats, that was to be expected. Too bad, they missed a fun show on a gorgeous evening.

PS - to the plastered teenagers that were roaming the crowd... instead of using a drunk, 85 pound girl as a battering ram to get through the crowd, try a polite "Excuse me." from time to time.

[Tim Finn]

... didn't sound to me that he hated the band. Rather he couldn't appreciate their inauthentic, watered-down music. Me neither, which is why I stayed away. "Revolution"? Really?

[sincitydisciple]

Maybe hate was a strong word, but it sounded like he definitely had his mind made up before going to the show. Not saying you have to be a fan boy to write a review... just able to put aside your preconceived notions...

[Tim Finn]

But you have a point. We/I try not to send a reviewer who is going into a show with some heavy, negative opinions about the band(s) he/she will be reviewing. It's like sending an agnostic to a Christian rock show.

[dawn]

amen...i am another one of those that just don't get they hype about oar. it's my personal rule to never spend a dime to see them live...even if i really like the other bands on the bill (and i like augustana...a lot, so it sucked to miss them).

if any criticism were to be had, it seemed the review focused more on the crowd of 'there to be seen's' instead of the actual music.

[Lee]

I didn't see this show, but it didn't seem to me that he brought any preconceived notions to the show (for that there's always Wayward Blog). Besides, I don't think there's a more generous, open-minded music reviewer in KC than Bill Brownlee.

[Brett]

This guy is obviously a guys who is pushing 40 or higher and is a narrowminded republican. These concerts are not concerts that you attend so you can disect everything they are not. A person doesn't go to a concert and critique it until it turns into their favorite band, thats just retarded. To the gentlemen that wrote this, you are way past your hayday and obviously have trouble relating to todays youth and most likely always will. You have two options you can stay narrowminded and stubborn or can open up and try to see and or relate to why O.A.R. is such a great band. Their relatable lyrics, excellent live performances, unstoppable saxophone and constant fresh music.

[Jacob Hunt]

O.A.R. puts on the best damn show you will ever see.

[Bruce]

TO Brett and Lee,
Maybe he is an older person, however the fact of the matter remains that O.A.R.'s popularity is just synonomous with the tasteless masses of our youth concert goers. Despite his age i can guarantee that this guy used to be getting trashed and listening to music of his time that was actually good. O.A.R. gives very immature lyrics melodies and sounds that lead me to believe that if this is what people find popular, then the music scene is heading downhill fast.

[THe Truth]

Its a shame that people don't really take the time to listen to O.A.R. I have shown every one of my friends this band and every single one of them now loves O.A.R. Their live shows are the best. I've seen alot of performers and o.a.r beats them all. The post by Tim Finn is ridiculous. You have to see o.a.r to understand why they are so great. Its not necessarily about the music, its about the feeling they can give . Its hard to explain really. I am proud to be on of the people who o.a.r's music has reached and am able to feel the unexplainable joys of listening to them everyday. I feel sorry for you hard ass reviewers and people who don't give real music a chance. To all you nay sayers, go turn on your Fall Out Boy and shut the hell up