Oval Opus is a highly energetic quintet of twenty-somethings from Cincinnati who will have a wide appeal to college age rockers and young adult alternative types. The opening track, "Settle Down" is a cross between Matchbox 20 and Rusted Root, with the occasional Sister Hazel harmony mixed in. It deals with the common post-college question -- is it time to grow up and become a "real adult"?
"The Beautiful One That No One Knows" musically stays in the same area. In CCM circles, the closest comparison would be Jars of Clay, Chris Rice, or FFH, but Oval Opus has more of an edge than those groups. "Anchorman" and "First Kids Names" complement the other two tracks well. This EP is about as well produced as one could want, and having seen them live, I can testify that Oval Opus can pull off everything live that is heard on this disc. The highest compliment I can give a group is by pursuing their back catalog after hearing an album -- Oval Opus has earned that from me.
4.5 tocks
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