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O.A.R.|Stories Of A Stranger

Stories Of A Stranger

O.A.R.

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O.A.R. leapt to the majors in 2003 with In Between Now and Then, but the move didn't change their longstanding commitment to touring. The live show built their audience and crafted their sound; why would Atlantic's logo on their record change that? Ultimately, 2005's Stories of a Stranger doesn't change O.A.R.'s organic, homespun approach to pop, either. But it definitely refines it along the way, bringing the Maryland combo firmly into the adult alternative fold. Live, these songs will still have potential for jam band elasticity. But on Stories they're tightly wound, showing off Marc Roberge's dry vocal and urgent turns of melody. "Heard the World," "Daylight the Dog," and "Love and Memories" are full of guitar and yearning, like a less self-righteous Switchfoot or wordier Goo Goo Dolls. "Memories" in particular is a departure for O.A.R. -- co-written by Roberge with hired gun Glen Ballard, it amplifies every part of the band's sound, nearly guaranteeing a radio hit. There's quieter material here -- Jerry DePizzo's saxophone shines in the languid "Nasim Joon" -- and the band's knack for light and breezy island-flavored pop breathes in "Lay Down," "One Shot," "Program Director," and the irresistible "Wonderful Day." And yet it's the slick, gently insistent "The Stranger" (with backing vocals from Toby Lightman) that feels more representative of Stories of a Stranger. It's clear that Roberge is moving toward songs that will tell a story, make you smile, or make you think, but also have real appeal for casual listeners. There's nothing wrong with that -- O.A.R. proved their live mettle a long time ago, and they remain curious, crafty songwriters. Stories of a Stranger just presents everything that defines O.A.R. in a more concise package.

© Johnny Loftus /TiVo

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Stories Of A Stranger

O.A.R.

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1
Heard The World (Album Version)
00:05:01

JERRY HARRISON, Author, Producer, Recording Producer - O.A.R., MainArtist - Marc Andrew Roberge, Author

℗ 2005 Lava Records LLC

2
Love And Memories (Album Version)
00:03:27

GLEN BALLARD, Composer - O.A.R., MainArtist - Marc Roberge, Composer

℗ 2005 Craft Recordings.

3
Wonderful Day
00:03:17

O.A.R., Composer, MainArtist - Marc Roberge, Author

℗ 2005 Craft Recordings.

4
The Stranger
00:04:06

Sabelle Breer, ComposerLyricist - Serban Ghenea, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - Eric Thorngren, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Gore, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Toby Lightman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Culos, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Ferone, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Andrew Roberge, ComposerLyricist - Curtis J. Frasca, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2005 Craft Recordings.

5
Lay Down
00:04:08

Sam Hollander, Composer - Dave Schommer, Composer - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Composer - Richard On, Composer - Marc Andrew Roberge, Composer

℗ 2005 Lava Records LLC

6
Program Director
00:05:43

GLEN BALLARD, Author - George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Author, Producer, Recording Producer - Eric Thorngren, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Worrell, Organ, Digital Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gore, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Culos, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Ferone, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Nguini, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Lenny Picket, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Switzer, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Andrew Roberge, Author

℗ 2005 Craft Recordings.

7
Nasim Joon
00:03:14

George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - Brian Malouf, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eric Thorngren, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Ferrone, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Worrell, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gore, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Marc Andrew Roberge, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2021 Craft Recordings.

8
Tragedy In Waiting
00:03:48

George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lenny Pickett, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Thorngren, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Ferrone, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gore, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Colin Smith, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Andrew Roberge, ComposerLyricist - Christopher Wayne Keup, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2021 Craft Recordings.

9
Daylight The Dog
00:03:52

Jeff Trott, ComposerLyricist - George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - Eric Thorngren, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Gore, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Culos, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Marc Andrew Roberge, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2021 Craft Recordings.

10
One Shot
00:04:23

George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - Lenny Pickett, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Malouf, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eric Thorngren, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Worrell, Organ, Clavichord, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gore, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Culos, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Nguini, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Switzer, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Andrew Roberge, ComposerLyricist - Jerald L Depizzo, ComposerLyricist - Christopher Wayne Keup, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2021 Craft Recordings.

11
Dakota
00:04:26

George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - Eric Thorngren, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Ferrone, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gore, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Marc Andrew Roberge, ComposerLyricist - Jerald L Depizzo, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2021 Craft Recordings.

12
52-50
00:08:42

George Marino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY HARRISON, Producer, Recording Producer - Lenny Pickett, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Thorngren, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Ferrone, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Worrell, Organ, Clavichord, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Gore, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Cohen, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - O.A.R., MainArtist - Benj Gershman, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry DePizzo, Guitar, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Marc Roberge, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Richard On, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Marc Andrew Roberge, ComposerLyricist - Benjamin Aaron Gershman, ComposerLyricist

℗ 2021 Craft Recordings.

Album review

O.A.R. leapt to the majors in 2003 with In Between Now and Then, but the move didn't change their longstanding commitment to touring. The live show built their audience and crafted their sound; why would Atlantic's logo on their record change that? Ultimately, 2005's Stories of a Stranger doesn't change O.A.R.'s organic, homespun approach to pop, either. But it definitely refines it along the way, bringing the Maryland combo firmly into the adult alternative fold. Live, these songs will still have potential for jam band elasticity. But on Stories they're tightly wound, showing off Marc Roberge's dry vocal and urgent turns of melody. "Heard the World," "Daylight the Dog," and "Love and Memories" are full of guitar and yearning, like a less self-righteous Switchfoot or wordier Goo Goo Dolls. "Memories" in particular is a departure for O.A.R. -- co-written by Roberge with hired gun Glen Ballard, it amplifies every part of the band's sound, nearly guaranteeing a radio hit. There's quieter material here -- Jerry DePizzo's saxophone shines in the languid "Nasim Joon" -- and the band's knack for light and breezy island-flavored pop breathes in "Lay Down," "One Shot," "Program Director," and the irresistible "Wonderful Day." And yet it's the slick, gently insistent "The Stranger" (with backing vocals from Toby Lightman) that feels more representative of Stories of a Stranger. It's clear that Roberge is moving toward songs that will tell a story, make you smile, or make you think, but also have real appeal for casual listeners. There's nothing wrong with that -- O.A.R. proved their live mettle a long time ago, and they remain curious, crafty songwriters. Stories of a Stranger just presents everything that defines O.A.R. in a more concise package.

© Johnny Loftus /TiVo

About the album

© 2005 Craft Recordings. ℗ 2005 Craft Recordings.

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