Ocean swims away with mediocre

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Straight from the record company comes another new face to the new music scene
in the form of Ocean with her debut album “Mermaid Music.”
While the name might indicate that the artist might be a little wet behind the
ears, the music on the album tells a completely different story.
Ocean combines the stylings of many different cultures of music in her album,
which fairly takes you on a trip around the world to exotic locations. Be this
as it may, Ocean fell sharply short of the expectations built by the statement
on the back liner of her album.
No doubt that Ocean has some interesting songs on her album. Such titles as “I
Want,” “Pegasus,” “Siren Song,” and “Love-Junkie”
feature both the good singing and the musical base that great songs need. Her
voice is haunting as the notes promise, and the beat could be considered danceable
funk.
However, for whatever Ocean gains with her smooth, calming voice she loses with
lack of originality. The idea of putting diverse musical styles on an album is
not a bad one, but Ocean is not able to put the necessary finishing touches on
the idea. The overall effect of what is laid down is that of copied rhythms with
original lyrical overlays.
Overall, Ocean does have a good voice and a good idea. She just doesn’t put
them together in the way that one would expect. Her talents might better be applied
to a single style rather than trying to encompass many styles in one album.
On a scale of one to 10, “Mermaid Music” receives a gracious five.