Album Review: The Ocean Party - Light Weight

This Melbourne six-piece who first came together in Wagga Wagga don’t waste any time between albums. Their fifth album in three years, Light Weight comes at a time when there has hardly been a breather between tunes they have splattered all over the youth radio network.

The Ocean Party have too many songwriters to mention, but they have had no trouble in keeping their signature jangle guitar and a knack for a tidy hook, when faced with recording in a studio for the first tome. Light Weight sits somewhere between the sound of compatriots Dick Diver and The Lucksmiths, as simple yet affective melodies mix with clever observational lyrics.

Light Weight isn’t as immediate as previous records, but it is this more considered approach to their ‘80s pop and post punk that gives the album its greatest strength. There is a sense of the insecurities coming to the front lyrically even when the music is spritely as in Real Life.

The band have just started touring the album with the opening night seeing their trailer being crashed into and keyboardist ‘Snowy’ waking up with a suspected broken ankle. There is never a dull moment with The Ocean Party who continue to push out quality songs during Light Weight.