Reviews
Barnes & Noble - June 27, 2002
This Canadian combo has always subscribed to the "bigger is better" philosophy, turning out a heady brand of rock, rooted in '70s AOR but iced with an appealingly arty top layer. The latter element largely emanates from singer Raine Maida, whose soaring voice splits the difference between Scott Weiland's sweep and David Bowie's croon. Maida hits his stride most effectively on the songs that show the most dynamic range, notably "Sell My Soul" and "Somewhere Out There," both of which employ complex structures that highlight the virtuosic playing without sounding like mere technical blueprints. New guitarist Steve Mazur brings a little more edge to Gravity than was present on the band's first four records. And while there are points -- "Made of Steel," for instance -- where a few too many of the quartet's rough edges are sanded away by producer Bob Rock's knob twirling, Gravity packs enough of a punch to give OLP their best chance yet at a Stateside breakthrough. David Sprague