The Top 10 Our Lady Peace Songs Aug 26 '04 (Updated Nov 08 '04)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line You don’t have to be Canadian to enjoy this fantastic alternative rock group. These are their masterpieces. In 1994, a young alternative rock group burst on to the music scene with a stylish debut CD that would lay the foundation for what has become one of the most inspired and accomplished bands of the last decade. Naturally, I am referring to Our Lady Peace. The abovementioned album, Naveed, broke through the crusty grunge obsession of the early to mid-nineties, with vocalist Raine Maida’s electrifying delivery putting a distinct stamp on the band. Guided by the smash-hit single Starseed, the group’s first musical offering was a rousing and critical success. Still, several tracks seemed under-developed, and OLP’s true potential had not yet been attained. Anyone who listened to the album knew right away that this group had nowhere to go but up. Seeking to further their sound, and simultaneously building on the dark edginess of their debut, Clumsy rocked store shelves in 1997. Many widely-heard tunes appeared on this record, including Superman’s Dead, which showcased Maida’s dizzying, nasally vocal stylings to full effect. The band ironed out most of the wrinkles with this effort, but it still lacked consistency. For every track that drew you in with ripping power chords and creepy lyrics, a dud was almost certainly next in line. 1999’s Happiness…Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch was a definite improvement, with far less mediocre numbers clogging up the album’s back end. Even though the singles weren’t as catchy as previous releases (including the overrated lead single One Man Army ), closer examination revealed the growth the band had experienced both musically and lyrically. Unlike most of today’s vast array of nu-metal/ rock groups, the band didn’t sing exclusively about girlfriend problems and parental angst. Instead, they clouded their lyrics with metaphors and similes to get a message across. A great deal of the themes in their songs are something we can all relate to; losing a close friend or family member due to illness or struggling with hard decisions. As a whole, the band’s third album was remarkable, in that the band managed to weave everyday scenarios into their music without dumbing-down the lyrics, all the while keeping the music razor-sharp. When the four band members look back on their career, what they (and the general public) should remember most fondly about their achievements is their massive 2001 opus Spiritual Machines. As one of the top three albums of that year and my personal favorite OLP disc, this intriguing concept album focused on the role machines play in our lives and the danger they pose to us if not properly controlled. Ray Kurzweil wrote a book about the idea that one day artificial intelligence will overrun humans; that we will be so completely dependant on its power that it will inevitably overwhelm our species. Admittedly, the brief “R. K.” segments were rather annoying at first, but eventually I got used to them, and they allowed Kurzweil to share his thoughts about rapidly advancing technology and its perils. The actual music exceeded my expectations on every level. The A.I. concept really gave this album a clear, definite direction, and the band went all-out with the most impressive OLP track list to date. I honestly can’t think of a bad song on the whole album, a bona fide accomplishment in this modern era of half-hearted attempts by artists who greedily try to cash in on a winning formula. What’s truly frustrating is to see such a prolific talent be shunned in the United States. Given that OLP could go toe to toe with virtually any modern rock band, it’s peculiar as to why they haven’t enjoyed the kind of acclaimed success in the U.S. as they have in their home country of Canada. Great artists should be recognized, regardless of their origins. The following year, the band teamed up with controversial producer Bob Rock, who was accused, without any reasonable grounds whatsoever, of stalling out Metallica’s career with a more radio-friendly approach. The differences between 2002’s Gravity and other OLP records are minimal. They are all packed with, for the most part, high-quality material worthy of repeated listens. The accusations of this being OLP’s worst record are ridiculous; it was a generally strong release that displayed a great deal of the band’s strengths. The songwriting is of high caliber, the vocals are on par with previous albums, and the instrumentation is commendable. I needed to get that off my chest. Where is all this leading, you ask? Last year (not coincidently, on the same day) I made a similar write-up on The Top 10 Metallica Songs. Continuing with the yearly tradition, I felt it necessary to throw my opinion out there to anyone who cares. Our Lady Peace has yet to make a bad record, and even a bad song is almost as scarce. They absolutely deserve more respect than they are afforded. Bands should look to their shining example of how they effortlessly incorporate familiar social and personal situations into their colorful music. So, without further adieu, here are my choices for The Top 10 Our Lady Peace Songs. 10) “Waited” (Happiness...Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch)- 3: 33 - Let the countdown begin. The competition for the last slot was fierce, and I also considered “Stealing Babies” and the under-appreciated “Hello Oskar”. Starting off simply enough, with light drumming holding a steady rhythm while Maida sings about someone who patiently stood steadfast for their lover. A subtle piano is slipped in right before the band gears up for the enormous chorus. One thing that is always apparent in the majority of OLP’s songs is the grand finale, and “Waited” is no exception. The bridge keeps the momentum chugging along, until at last the final chorus rips out of the speakers. Maida’s cries of, “Waited…waited/ I must be too dumb to be proud/ Because I waited, waited” really deliver the knockout blow. It may not look like anything to froth at the mouth over on a computer screen, but hearing this extraordinarily unique vocalist add his trademark touches to those lines is sure to capture the listener’s attention, and hold it until the music eventually fades out. 9) “All My Friends” (Spiritual Machines)- 3: 37 - Jumping in at number nine, “All My Friends” begins with a slow burning buildup lead by Duncan Coutts’ elegant bass play. Imagery is an effective technique this song utilizes to create a forbidding picture. These lines, “All my friends/ Alone on a hill/ They’re just looking down/ With violent minds out on loan/ They’re just not equipped” are some of the creepiest the band has ever put to paper. The guitar and drumming interplay takes hold of the last ninety seconds, where Maida’s airy melodies will lock into your brain for weeks on end. Highly infectious and wonderfully crafted, this song was a no-brainer to make OLP’s top ten list. 8) “Life” (Spiritual Machines)- 4: 23 - One factor that helps to separate OLP from the hordes of rock groups these days is their willingness to infuse a strong dosage of hope into their lyrics. While “Life” deals with the trials and tribulations of our daily problems, unlike most bands, who prefer to wallow in their own pool of misery and complain about how everything sucks, OLP write uplifting songs. Look no further than this section to see evidence of the beauty even in the ugliest situations, “Oh life, is waiting for you/ It’s all messed up but we’re alive/ Oh life, is waiting for you/ It’s all messed up but we’ll survive”. It’s quite refreshing, to say the least. Instrumentally speaking, there’s a lot to catch your ears. Mike Turner’s guitar hooks you right in, and Jeremy Taggart keeps the pace on the kit. This was an obvious choice for this list, as “Life” remains a staple of excellence in alt-rock music to this day. 7) “Automatic Flowers” (Clumsy)- 4: 05 - On the band’s sophomore endeavor, Clumsy, OLP was under the gun to make an equally compelling follow-up to their out-of-nowhere blockbuster début, and this is a track that helped solidify their position in the alt-rock niche. Set up by a soft guitar hook and a typically enlivening performance by Maida, “Automatic Flowers” moves from an almost ballad-like pace in the early stages to a roaring assault at it’s conclusion. The account of a depressed, alcoholic woman is one of the better OLP stories made into song. Maida shouts, “These automatic flowers won’t do!” with a plethora of breakout vocal fits to spare. Though it’s often overshadowed by the monstrous first single “Superman’s Dead”, this is a terrific song in it’s own right. 6) “Innocent” (Gravity)- 3: 42 - The second single off Gravity, this is a tune that’s easy to sing-a-long to. “Innocent” tells two different tales of innocent people, a boy trying to play music and a girl who is distraught by life’s dilemmas. The lyrics, not surprisingly, are amazing, “And while she wishes she was a dancer/ And that she'd never heard of cancer/ She wishes God would give her some answers/ And make her feel beautiful”. This is the real power of Our Lady Peace, a moving set of lyrics compounded by an engaging finale. Maida sings, “We are all innocent” in such a catchy way, it’s impossible to resist this song’s charm. Turner, who left the band during the Gravity recording sessions, does an incredible job punctuating the song with spiky guitar riffs. Taggart never lets up in the last two minutes, pounding away with admirable efficiency. 5) “Superman’s Dead” (Clumsy)- 4: 16 - The band really took off with the release of this mammoth success of a song. The tried and true OLP formula is here, with a gradual buildup during the verses and a wickedly catchy chorus. Who could possibly forget the celebrated lines of, “Alone I’m thinking/ Why is superman dead/ Is it in my head/ We’ll just laugh instead”. Or better yet, Maida’s oddly addictive rapid-fire yelps (now awooo oo, now awoo oo)? Turner adds a low-key acoustic guitar during the opening and the bridge, adding a little more fuel to the already raging fire. Of all the band’s singles, “Superman’s Dead” may just have been they’re biggest hit, the popularity even crossed over into the U.S. for a while there. A brilliant piece of music that is well deserved of its number five placing. 4) “Denied” (Naveed)- 5: 01 - Interestingly enough, “Denied” opens with a nifty bongo drum performance. It adds some flavor to the track, and helps distinguish it from any other OLP song. The instruments drop in slowly, kicking off with Turner’s winding hook, and giving way to ex-bassist Chris Eacrett’s rolling bass line. The song goes against the grain of the album’s title, as it seethes aggression and frustration from every orifice. Naveed actually means ‘bearer of good news’ but “Denied” is a raucous and determined effort from the get go. Turner let’s fly with a spicy guitar solo in the bridge, proving his considerable skill on the instrument. Far and away the best track from the group’s debut, this is a killer cut of raw energy that easily lays claim to the No. 4 slot. 3) “Thief” (Happiness…Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch)- 4: 01 I can’t see this thief that lives inside of your head But I can be some courage at the side of your bed - Without a doubt, the saddest Our Lady Peace song, “Thief” tugs at every string of the listener’s heart, due in no small part to the emotionally harrowing chorus. This is Maida’s show, pure and simple, and he runs with it. His delicacy during the poignant verses clearly demonstrates his undeniable talent. The instruments, other than Taggart’s startling drum work, are hardly present, except for the last chorus delivery. I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up the haunting finish, a child’s voice singing a lullaby that really caps everything off perfectly. The song is most likely about someone dying from an unspeakable illness, the thief representing a cancer or some other malady afflicting a close friend or loved one. Once more, the band’s theme may be downcast, but there’s always a sense of hope just around the corner. This is what they excel at developing, and “Thief” is a prime example. No list of OLP’s best songs would be complete without this stirring creation. 2) “If You Believe” (Spiritual Machines)- 3: 35 - Stampeding into the second slot, “If You Believe” has more fiery intensity than a space shuttle launch. Seriously, it packs a wallop. The usual OLP structure of a carefully crafted opening is jettisoned when Turner simply unloads on the listener with an avalanche of power chords, bolstered by Taggart’s hellish drumming spectacle. The intro defines the rest of the piece; a loud, angry explosion that detonates on impact. Maida essentially goes for broke, holding nothing back as the band thrashes through three plus minutes of music that bombards your five senses. The closing thirty seconds, filled with nothing but Maida’s sweet melodies and a passionate, resounding keyboard section is the ideal finale for a song this spectacular. A track that is guaranteed to get your fist pumping in excitement, this is a dynamite exhibition put on by a band at the top of their game. Take the time to read the phenomenal chorus lyrics, which I will close with. In all, “If You Believe” invokes all kinds of indescribable sensations that will please any fan of past or present rock music. But if you believe in the world I'm calling And if you belong in the world I saw And if you believe in the world I'm calling You'll be strong 1) “All For You” (Gravity)- 4: 14 - A monumental feat that rises above all else, “All For You”, in addition to being the best song of 2002, eclipses all of the band’s compositions for the title of the #1 Our Lady Peace song. How does one even begin to describe such an astounding piece of sheer perfection? I’ll begin where the song first originated, on paper, from the mind of Raine Maida. The overpowering weight of the chorus is comparable to a sumo wrestler stepping on a mosquito. Consider these lines, among the finest ever written in the alt-rock genre: It’s all for you You’ve got me where you want It’s all for you Just stop breaking my heart You’re the blood, I’m the seed You’re all that I need You’ve got me where you want It’s all for you You’ve got me, oh you’ve got me… As tremendous as it is on paper, the music is what propels this song into the elite category of flawless material. Jamie Edwards supplies a memorably punchy keyboard piece along with new guitarist Steve Mazur’s edgy guitar hook. All of a sudden, the rest of the group crashes in; the force of which hits like an earthquake. Coutts doesn’t get smothered beneath the fury, and he turns in a pummeling bass performance. Taggart hammers the drum kit with such relentless zeal, it’s amazing he doesn’t get brain damage. Last, but certainly not least, Maida’s thrilling vocals highlight this already captivating track. The bridge segues in at the right moment to allow the listener to breathe, waiting as Maida tenderly sings the last two chorus lines. Then the unthinkable happens; the song gets even better when the chorus returns again, with enough strength to wipe out a major metropolitan city. There is nothing you will hear that could be compared to the climax of this song, it will confound all expectations. “All For You” represents alternative rock at its peak; a magnificently executed triumph that music fans of all genres must experience.

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