Our Lady Peace

Naveed (Relativity)
by Scott Hefflon

Our Lady Peace is an ambitious young band. Tackling questions of the human spirit and the dark seduction of losing yourself in the crowd, Raine Maida’s voice strips bare and streaks through the sounds with hints of Morrison, Vedder, and Ian Astbury. That may sound exaggerated, but the passion of each can be found, depending on which song you focus on.

My personal fave is “Supersatellite,” just because its dramatic choppiness during the transition and mellow, kinda trippy groove during the chorus. Another hit is the cultish “Starseed” that rocks hard and heavy in the pre-chorus and rolls with the smooth, rich guitar in the verses. In the five minute, desert-wandering introspection, “Hope,” The Doors’ bass line saunters and the rest of the song builds and drifts away from it.

One of the distinguishing elements that is threaded throughout each song is the solid drumming and unique snare sound. While the vocals and instruments seem to express themselves in so many varied ways, the very real-sounding snare drum is very unifying. While the spectrum of Our Lady Peace’s influences and capabilities is, without a doubt, impressive, it makes you wonder what their identity is. They borrow from the greats and do a phenomenal job of incorporating various pleasing styles, I’d just like to see who they are in a few albums. Naveed is this Canadian foursome’s debut, and, when judged in that light, it’s amazing. This is a band to watch.