Raspberry Jam

Item: Oceanic
Author: Beth Blinn

Oceanic

(1995)

Reviewed by Beth Blinn

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Label Metro One MusicThe LighthouseSeptember 1995

alternative rock dream pop jazz shoegaze

Raspberry Jam made somewhat of a splash a few years ago, with their appearance at the Cornerstone New Band Stage. This was followed by their debut album, Chi-Rho, released on Metro One in 1993. A mixture of funky jams and acoustic interludes, it's a fun ride that deals with its lyrical themes (God, racism and materialism, among others) in a fairly straight-forward manner. It makes great background music for a party.

Well, that band has disappeared. In its place is a group that has turned its focus inside, delving into emotions and motives-laying it all out on the table. The music reflects the lyrical bend. Gone are the tunes you can dance to; in their place are some soundtracks for serious soul-searching.

It may seem like a drastic 180-degree turn, but this type of music was hinted at on Chi-Rho, with the tracks "Line" and "Open Your Heart." Fans of the first album shouldn't dismiss this newest venture-while Chi-Rho was a lively trip, Oceanic is more about life's journey.

The disc starts off with "Now Watch The Man," a joyous celebration of death. That may seem like an oxymoron but, taken from the perspective of someone who is sure of their eternity, it's totally appropriate. Bassist Herb Grimaud, who penned the lyrics, writes:

Shed not a tear for me. Because fields of comfort surround my soul. My exit was sooner than later, Our time was spent well, this you know. Wise is the man that searches, Humble is the man that finds. Now watch the man become spirit, Now watch the man become strength. I've shed the body of pain and fear, Now watch the man....

The music, which starts off with just drums and bass, crescendos to the chorus, with vocalist Destiny's voice soaring over the instruments.

Destiny, who replaced Angel Short on female vocals, is one of the strengths of this album. Her vocals carry power and emotion, without going over the edge. Someone with a weaker voice would be lost on this recording, because the music is so strong in many places-the drums, bass and guitars almost meld into one sound at some points. I don't mean that they sound alike, just that they come together so well that it takes a strong vocalist not to be over-powered.

The music, as a whole, does not resemble much that appeared on the last album. While some of the groove is maintained, gone is most of the funk element. There are still hints of jazz now and then, but mostly it is mid-tempo, emotional alternative rock. Wes Faulk is a propulsive drummer, and the interplay between he and Grimaud lays a solid foundation on which guitarist Flames and guitarist/vocalist Phil Kim build some serious walls of sound.

One of Raspberry Jam's strengths is the collaborative nature of the band-no one person's personality really dominates. Kim, Grimaud, and Destiny wrote the lyrics, while the music is credited to an individual (who, assumably, came up with the idea) and the band. Destiny and Kim trade lead vocals, which allows for more creativity. With the exception of Destiny, these guys have been playing together for a while now, and it shows in how well the music gels.

Besides the first song, my favorite cuts are "Easter," "Wonders of Love," "Black Box," and "Surrender." (Okay, so that's half the album. I can't help it if it was hard to choose a couple!) "Easter" speaks to our ever-swift ability to judge people, when what they really need is someone to listen and care.

She whispers support and I scream judgment, You see Easter is for me And my plank-eyed soul.

"Wonders of Love" is one of the quieter tunes on the album, contemplating the evidence we have of a God who loves us. "Black Box" is laced with pain and regret; a splintered relationship between a son and mother that wasn't able to be resolved before death made it impossible.

Sitting on the front porch, Crying for her son, She's talking to herself now, She's talking to no one... She tried so hard to love me, In the only way she knew... If only I could tell her, Maybe if I tell you...

It may seem an odd choice as a favorite, but Kim (on vocals) and the band did such a good job of getting the emotion across that I can't help but like the song.

"Surrender" finishes the disc, and is the tune that speaks most directly to God. A confession and a plea, it pretty much sums up the album-when you get right down to it, our need for God is paramount, especially when reflecting on our inability to have solid relationships that aren't based upon, or drawing from, Him. Left to our own devices, it's inevitable that pain and grief prevail.

This album isn't the exuberant jaunt that Chi-Rho was, but it's an excursion that is more likely to leave an indelible mark. Raspberry Jam is really wearing their hearts on their sleeves this time, and while what is found there may not always be pretty, it is reality in terms of the human condition. At the same time, the band does a pretty good job of balancing the despair and the hope that we have.