THEY were once the sultans of Britpop but these days Ocean Colour Scene seem more at home in a folk club than a stadium.
This, their fifth studio album, ranks as their worst - missing all the spark and charm which made them so popular in the mid-90s. OCS always knew their strengths: strong vocals from Simon Fowler with superb guitar from Weller idol Simon Craddock. That has been dumped in favour of sweeping chorus lines, ballads and a folk-inspired sound. OCS were never the most original band, but now draw even more heavily on influences. Their days in the limelight have gone and, judging by this record, OCS have admitted they're never coming back.
Updated: 08:56 Thursday, March 31, 2005
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