#careerwave

The Ocean Party - "Split"

It's not often that I find myself actively taking notice of a song's lyrics. I rarely pay any real attention to what is being sung, instead having them typically serve simply as something catchy for me to sing along to as I go about my day. I could easily rattle of the lyrics to hundreds of songs though I'd be hard pressed to actually tell you what any are about. "Split" however, the title track off of Melbourne powerhouse The Ocean Party's most recent record, is something different. 

With so many great songwriters in the band (its members additionally head up Velcro, Snowy Nasdaq, Pencil and Ciggie Witch) it's interesting that this track is the very first song written for The Ocean Party by drummer Zac Denton. Weaving his vocals between the laid back guitar lines and his own relaxed drumming, Denton manages to sum up the universal feeling experienced by every young person as they undertake the transition into adulthood. Earnestly singing, "I'm torn between what I want and, what I have to do…I'm split", Denton never comes across as anything less than sincere.

It's easy to see why they are often compared to bands such as Real Estate though there is more to them than just their laid back, relaxed vibe. With a turn of phrase akin to an early Stephen Malkmus and an attuned knowledge of song structure, The Ocean Party are definitely a band that everyone should be watching.