Our Lady Peace ‘Somethingness’ full album – review

Our Lady Peace – “Somethingness”
written by Chris van Staalduinen

Venerable Canadian alt-rockers Our Lady Peace are back with a new album and a co-headlining tour with Matthew Good to support it.

‘Somethingness’ is set for release on February 23rd and will only be available through their tour and their Pledge Music campaign at PledgeMusic. The site has the album (vinyl and CD), as well as the usual merchandise for sale, but also amazing, unique items and experiences. One-on-one music sessions with the band members, personalized merchandise and actual OLP guitars are available. Five-percent of all money raised goes to the charity “War Child”, which is almost unheard of; both honourable and somehow Canadian.

I have had the privilege of hearing the album before it drops and I can tell you, it’s excellent. The trademark vocals of front-man Raine Maida soar around the expansive depths of the band’s alternative space voyage. Having undergone lineup changes and five years since a new album, ‘Somethingness’ is a great return to form from the Toronto quartet. It’s both modern and evocative of older OLP, such as ‘Happiness…’ and ‘Gravity’. Despite the wanton desire in Maida’s falsetto and the sometimes bleak darkness in the lyrics, there’s an overriding, prevailing optimism to the album.

There’s also a certain similar twist to the titles of the songs versus their actual feeling. Some of the titles seem to have a certain negative feel: ‘Hiding Place’, ‘Let Me Live Again’ and ‘Last Train’ among them. However, each of these songs ends up evoking feelings of growth, opportunity and hope. It’s a great way to force us to think, to challenge our own expectations, even in a moment or for one. Again, it brings me back to older OLP – ‘Clumsy’ wasn’t just about the negative in the same way that ‘Head Down’ isn’t.

It’s an album with varied styles, rhythms and melodies and yet it still maintains a congruent presence from front to back. It feels a bit like a journey, but a deeper, life-affirming one, not a vacation. In traditional OLP fashion, there are hints of existentialism, religious doubt, and self-reflection layered throughout the poetic musings. ‘Nice to Meet You’ was the second single released and along with the lead track ‘Head Down’, it’s probably the closest to pop – definitely catchy. ‘Ballad of a Poet’ is soulful and thoughtful, ‘Drop Me in the Water’ is more rock and reminiscent of early albums and ‘Missing Pieces’ has a slide-guitar country feel to it.

Maida and OLP have long always seemed a little deeper than a lot of rock and this album seems to continue that trend. Despite the hiatus, inner turmoil and lack of commercial “success”, the band has returned to make an album that they wanted to make. This is not always the case in today’s music industry – many bands never recover from any of the above. It’s a testament to the perseverance and drive of the band and it’s members and it shows through in the new album.

Co-headlining a tour is a sign of humility and doing it with Matthew Good is a sin of integrity, as Mr. Good is a fellow Canadian with similar beliefs, morals and depth. Two of my favourite Canadian artists coming together in Abbotsford on March 31 and I cannot wait.

For tour dates, tickets and VIP experiences in your own area, check the band’s website.