O.A.R., 'King'

Release date: Aug. 2, 2011
Record label: Wind-Up
Official website: http://www.ofarevolution.com/

The buzz: O.A.R.’s grassrootsy rise to fame resulted from a savvy blend of old-fashioned hard work and new media mastery, as tape-trading fans of the jam band started finding each other online. Since then, they’ve gotten increasingly big-time, selling 1.8 million albums and two million concert tickets. Can they make the Dave Matthews leap to the next level of generation-spanning success—or have they peaked?

The verdict: With their lite-reggae flair, sax-y sing-alongs and extremely earnest, extremely generic lyrics about livin’ and lovin’ and carpe diem and stuff, O.A.R. still hit the college band bullseye. Their success was largely built on the big energy and good vibes of their live show—which has posed studio problems for many a band before them. “King” wisely doesn’t try to recreate that experience in an artificial setting. Instead, O.A.R. offers their “all growns up” side: politely polished, straining for Big Rock Moments, caught up in cluttered arrangements and dated instrumental ideas. There’s a song named “Fire,” but very little fire to be found—a pity because singer/guitarist Marc Roberge has enough soulful charisma that he can overcome leaden lyrics like “I don’t wanna go to heaven if I can’t get in.” Not this time around.

Did you know? Whether they’re disappointed or thrilled by “King,” fans may not have to wait long for a follow-up; the band was back writing songs before this album even came out.