3OH!3 - Omens (02/09/2013)
Nathanial Motte and Sean Foreman better known as 3OH!3 are an electro-pop duo from Boulder, Colorado. Formed in 2004 they’re best known for their catchy hooks, sexually fuelled and often hilarious lyrics and high profile collaborations with pop stars such as Ke$ha and Katy Perry.
Omens is the 4th LP from a band whose popularity peaked around 2008-9 with their gold selling album Want. The bouncy electro tunes combined with catchy rap lyrics gave a generation of 16 year olds anthems to dance to at countless parties unbeknownst to their parents. It was at this age that I was first introduced to 3OH!3. Since then I have grown older, finished school and started moving forward with my life. Unfortunately 3OH!3 have not, listening to the first three songs of Omens, I was pleasantly sent back to my high school days. This feeling then got old with the repetitive nature of this album.
The opening track, conveniently titled Omens, offers an exciting buzz with the ego charged THREE OH THREE lyrics chanting in the background. Its vibrant electronic haze promises so much and is unfortunately let down by the rest of the album. As you progress further each track starts to blend into the next in a blur of aggressive dubstep, synth infused melodies and unnecessary profanity. The pop culture laden – lyrics, while at times can be humorous, offer no real meaning and I find it very difficult to connect or relate to any of the songs.
The first single, which led me to review this album - You’re Gonna Love This is one of two brief glimmers in an otherwise dreary experience. Its loud stadium organ sound is reminiscent of being back in 2009 listening to Want. It is catchy and easy to dance to, which despite 3OH!3’s previous work is quite a contrast in Omens; it is also light on the profanity which is another stark contrast to the rest of the album. The other stand out was Two Girlfriends, which was not released as a single. Its’ racy, shout at you - style rapping and fast paced drum beat reminds me of another American rap group full of white guys, The Beastie Boys and their 2004 hit Ch-Check It Out.
Overall I was disappointed with 3OH!3’s latest effort. I was looking for a certain progression or at least increase in maturity from a veteran band of four albums that I just didn’t find. Before reviewing Omens I was almost afraid to listen to it in case this would happen and unfortunately my suspicions have been confirmed. If you want a CD to play in the background of your teenage daughters slumber party this could be what you’re after, but for anything more you wont be getting your monies worth.
Sebastian Cooper
Omens is the 4th LP from a band whose popularity peaked around 2008-9 with their gold selling album Want. The bouncy electro tunes combined with catchy rap lyrics gave a generation of 16 year olds anthems to dance to at countless parties unbeknownst to their parents. It was at this age that I was first introduced to 3OH!3. Since then I have grown older, finished school and started moving forward with my life. Unfortunately 3OH!3 have not, listening to the first three songs of Omens, I was pleasantly sent back to my high school days. This feeling then got old with the repetitive nature of this album.
The opening track, conveniently titled Omens, offers an exciting buzz with the ego charged THREE OH THREE lyrics chanting in the background. Its vibrant electronic haze promises so much and is unfortunately let down by the rest of the album. As you progress further each track starts to blend into the next in a blur of aggressive dubstep, synth infused melodies and unnecessary profanity. The pop culture laden – lyrics, while at times can be humorous, offer no real meaning and I find it very difficult to connect or relate to any of the songs.
The first single, which led me to review this album - You’re Gonna Love This is one of two brief glimmers in an otherwise dreary experience. Its loud stadium organ sound is reminiscent of being back in 2009 listening to Want. It is catchy and easy to dance to, which despite 3OH!3’s previous work is quite a contrast in Omens; it is also light on the profanity which is another stark contrast to the rest of the album. The other stand out was Two Girlfriends, which was not released as a single. Its’ racy, shout at you - style rapping and fast paced drum beat reminds me of another American rap group full of white guys, The Beastie Boys and their 2004 hit Ch-Check It Out.
Overall I was disappointed with 3OH!3’s latest effort. I was looking for a certain progression or at least increase in maturity from a veteran band of four albums that I just didn’t find. Before reviewing Omens I was almost afraid to listen to it in case this would happen and unfortunately my suspicions have been confirmed. If you want a CD to play in the background of your teenage daughters slumber party this could be what you’re after, but for anything more you wont be getting your monies worth.
Sebastian Cooper