Oh No Not Stereo - 003 [Album]

Self Released

There is one thing I could tell about Oh No Not Stereo ever since I listened to my first track of theirs which was 'Hurricanes' - these guys like to rock out and have an insane time. Music these days is quite depressing as I remember about three or four years back when you used to get at least fifteen songs on an album, sometimes nearer the twenty mark, but lately most bands just about give you ten, which is very disappointing, but Oh No Not Stereo pack 003 out with pure from-the-heart melodic, high energy rock!

Their first track, 'Let's Get It Started' certainly does what it says on the tin. Filled with catchy riffs and showtuney lyrics, it's just one song that you can't help but sing along to and these guys aren't scared to go outside the box if that's what they want to do - and you can bet they will go outside that box and party a little too. The sequel to this party starter is 'Hurricanes' which is just drilling the energy right down your throat, forcing you to get in the spirit and do some headbanging because it's all about having a good time.

They gave you a warning, you still didn't run, locked all the doors and fell asleep with your guns / now it's over we can turn this around , my brother's dying, my neighbourhood's upside down

The next couple of songs, 'All You' and 'Miss Hard Time' are certainly some of my favourites. They maintain that high-paced catchy singalong feel and fill the song with some meaningful lyrics, terrifically executed by guitarist and pianist frontman Skyler Nielsen. These tunes are more of the melodic ones with the piano introductions followed by electric riffs crafted by Skyler and co.

Never even knew what you had 'til it walked away / Can't keep a hold of what you had, it's walking away / Here you go again, taking it all out on me, I do believe this is the second time that I've told you

These tracks are swiftly followed by 'Shot Down by the Man', a track about the music industry 'man'. This is a situation most understood by Oh No Not Stereo as they are totally independent and do everything without any label assistance or support. I believe this track is dedicated to the man and is one to say

to him, for lack of better explanation.

Middle finger in the air screaming loud and clear / Shot Down, Shot Down by the Man

'12 Years Later' is the ballad that continues 003 and really shows off the more piano classical side of the record and is a good song in itself, rightfully earning a place on the band's MySpace page. The next track, 'Something New' is another of my personal favourites as it's just one of those kickass 'I don't care who you are, I'm gonna do this - no-one can stop us!' and I love that. In my opinion, one of the best tracks on the record! 'Can't Say' is the next song and it's a piano and acoustic mix which mellows the record down a bit, but I do feel it's a little misplaced as the record was just starting to hotten up again.

I can't say I feel anything at all, I'm just being nice to you, its the only time you're listening...

Now here we go! Coming up are three of the best tracks by far! Starting with 'Brothers', definitely in my humble opinion the best track on the record. A perfect mix of everything! The perfect pace at the perfect times, the best mix of distortion at the right places, slowing down and building up excellently with riffs and lyrics to die for. If you were going to listen to these guys, this is the song you should listen to. The next is 'Say Anything' and it maintains this pace and certainly keeps the time and lifts this record onto the next level. Again, one of the best songs on the record in my opinion, which is followed by the end-of-the-setlist song 'This Friday Night', another very good song.

Brother's on drugs again, you knew you were high, but never low enough to sell yourself

The remaining songs on the record, Get Over it, A World on Your Own, two piano mellow tunes to lighten the mood, good songs though before the last two, The Eyes on the Kids which is another pure rock-fuelled song and Can't Trust Anyone bring it back up again and show everyone that Oh No Not Stereo never finish on a low, but always on a high note!

This album, 003, and band, Oh No Not Stereo are certainly two great things. Firstly, get the album! Secondly, make sure you listen to and follow these guys as they are destined are big things!

Oh No Not Stereo - 003
1. Lets Get It Started
2. Hurricanes
3. All You
4. Miss Hard Time
5. Shot Down By The Man
6. 12 Years Later
7. Something New
8. I Can't Say
9. Brothers
10. Say Anything
11. This Friday Night
12. Get Over It
13. A World Of Your Own
14. The Eyes On The Kids
15. Can't Trust Anyone