The Ocean Blue & Beneath the Rhythm and Sound

I got turned onto The Ocean Blue when a friend included their song "Cerulean" on a mix CD. I fell in love with it. Wonderful song. Ever since, I've been hoping a cheap copy of the Cerulean album would present itself. While that hasn't happened, I did bite the bullet and get the band's self-titled 1989 release and 1993's Beneath the Rhythm and Sound. I'm glad I did! These are great albums. The late 80s and early 90s was an amazing time for college rock/modern rock/whatever you wanna call it, and these albums are proof. One review I was reading compared The Ocean Blue to The Smiths - I don't think this is a particularly good comparison, but I do think that one can hear a slight Smiths influence, particularly on songs like Beneath's "Cathedral Bells."

Highlights from the albums include "Between Something and Nothing," "Drifting, Falling," "The Circus Animals," "The Office of a Busy Man," "Sublime," "Ice Skating at Night," and "Cathedral Bells." Really, though, both albums are consistent and make for quality listening. I recommend them.

Not particularly relevant, but I was also somewhat tickled to find this passage in the liner notes for The Ocean Blue:

"The Compact Disc Digital Audio System offers the best possible sound reproduction - on a small, convenient disc. Its remarkable performance is the result of a unique combination of digital storage and laser optics. For best results, you should apply the same care in storing and handling the Compact Disc as you would with convention records. No cleaning is necessary if the Compact Disc is always held by the edges and is replaced in its case directly after playing. If the Compact Disc becomes soiled by fingerprints, dust or dirt, it can be wiped (always in a straight line, from center to edge) with a clean and lint-free, soft, dry cloth. Never use a solvent or abrasive cleaner to clean the disc. If you follow these suggestions, the Compact Disc will provide a lifetime of listening enjoyment."

A quick Google search reveals a few other titles that were printed with this notice. I just hope the format itself lasts long enough for other Compact Disc titles to provide me with a lifetime of listening enjoyment!

Track listings:
The Ocean Blue
1. Between Something and Nothing
2. Vanity Fair
3. Drifting, Falling
4. The Circus Animals
5. Frigid Winter Days
6. Just Let Me Know
7. Love Song
8. Ask Me Jon
9. Awaking to a Dream
10. The Office of a Busy Man
11. Myron
12. A Familiar Face

Beneath the Rhythm and Sound
1. Peace of Mind
2. Sublime
3. Listen, It's Gone
4. Either/Or
5. Bliss Is Unaware
6. Ice Skating at Night
7. Don't Believe Everything You Hear
8. Crash
9. Cathedral Bells
10. The Relatives
11. Emotions Ring