Swedish band OBLIVIOUS has been at it in one form or another since 2003, initially with Oblivion as their chosen moniker but altering it in 2009, coinciding with the release of their debut album “Goons and Master” presumably. Come 2013 and Oblivious returns with their second album “Creating Meaning”, and as with their initial production it has been released through Swedish label Transubstans Records.
This fairly short album kicks off with two blues-laden, galloping affairs that has a distinct 1970’s touch about them combined with a more contemporary stoner rock sound. Personally both of these gave me associations to the likes of Free as well as Queens of the Stone Age, nice and energetic affairs both that maintains a nice drive and tension throughout and concludes before the theme gets overly explored. The following Deluded Darling a creation that to me sounds closer to the stoner rock band referenced and without as many classic era references, and with a nice little delicate, acoustic interlude midways that allows some breathing space in this fairly intense affair.
Bjälkan i ditt öga is a rather different affair altogether, alternating between a Gary Moore meets Robin Trower delicate blues and a somewhat more distinct Black Sabbath flavored variety of stoner rock, while the following What A Trip is an energetic and somewhat more primitive variety of the 70’s blues based hard rock meets 90’s stoner rock affair. By the Neck, following an initial frail ballad prologue, kicks into a nice Queens of the Stone Age vibe, and You Are The Wall comes across to my ears as a compositions that blends a Black Sabbath inspired verse segment with a Queens of the Stone Age inspired chorus section. Nice stuff too I might add. When this disc concludes with Entering The Night we’re treated to material of a vastly different nature altogether, acoustic guitars and piano supporting the lead vocals in more of a basic roots and Country manner on this one. With a brief hidden track feature appearing at the very end that is another delicate little run.
Strong, melodic lead vocals is a key feature all along, and the band is tight and competent in all areas. And while there’s nothing original nor innovative to discover on this occasion, it is an album that should have a wide appeal with a certain easy to like and enjoy attitude incorporated into the sound and atmosphere of this production.
If you find the thought of a band blending 70’s blues based hard rock with 90’s melodic stoner rock to be enticing, Oblivious second album “Creating Meaning” is one that merits a check. It’s not a production that will have all and sundry singing it’s praises to the world at large, but it’s an enjoyable romp mixing the old with the not so old in a tight and enjoyable manner. Good, old fashioned fun if you like, just as suitable in your cars CD player as it is on a Friday night party with friends.
My rating: 75/100
