When a band loses a member it can have a major effect especially when it’s your lead vocalist. However for We Are The Ocean, the departure of Dan Brown has surprisingly led the band to continue their natural progression as their third album ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ is a triumphant and powerful British rock record.
For long time fans, last year’s ‘Go Now And Live’ shake off the Alexisonfire comparisons that had plagued the band in some circles with the end result being a well-structured record and saw the Essex band embrace melodies. Fans of that record will instantly be hooked by ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ as the startlingly Liam Cromby has naturally stepped up to lead vocals and provides many melodic and soaring choruses throughout.
Despite the line-up change, the bands aggressive post-hardcore ethos still remains in tact as lead single ‘Bleed’ demonstrates with its fiery, bold chorus WATO kick the album into gear from the get go. While Cromby’s brilliant ability to step up to the role of frontman is shown on ‘Young Heart’ is bright and uplifting.
Throughout ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ you’ll find blistering, urgent rock songs like ‘Machine’ with it’s pounding drums that dominate for the most part yet allow Cromby’s vocal talents to exceed when needed to and gives that “epic” tone that neatly rounds off the track making it a standout track amongst many highlights. Whilst the bands knack for providing infectious choruses is delivered in abundance with key examples being ‘Story Of A Modern Child’ and ‘Pass Me By.’
Lyrically their seems to be a sense of positivity with the bands changes breathing new life into them with the end result giving the record a radiant, boisterous sound.
Production-wise the bands raw and relentlessly energy often wins over a subtle slickness as shown on ‘The Road’ with the title track (‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’) somewhat embracing the polished sound in its chorus.
I’ll admit it’s hard to pick fault with ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow.’ Sure the bands song-structure is slightly expected but they make up for it in song quality as WATO leave you hooked throughout as the album neatly flows back and forth between uptempo numbers and more melodic songs.
For some ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ is a band in the middle of a change but from hearing the 10 songs on here, We Are The Ocean seem to have settled into their new skin with a collection of bold rock songs that are occasionally complimented by quiet introspective moments (see ‘Chin Up, Son’) with the end result being a varied, dynamic album that should be welcomed by old and new fans.
Despite what some might say, British rock is back on the up and in ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow,’ We Are The Ocean have all the talent, capabilities and potential to be a frontrunner.
4.5/5
‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ by We Are The Ocean is out now on Hassle Records.
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Words by Sean Reid (@seanreid86)
