Beneath the Rhythm and Sound

Beneath the Rhythm and Sound is an album by the American band the Ocean Blue, released in 1993.^[2][3]

Beneath the Rhythm and Sound
Studio album by the Ocean Blue
Released	1993
Studio	Compass Point (Nassau)
Genre	Alternative rock
Label	Sire/Reprise[1]
Producer	The Ocean Blue, Kevin Moloney
The Ocean Blue chronology
Cerulean (1991) Beneath the Rhythm and Sound (1993) Peace and Light EP (1994)

The first single, "Sublime", peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.^[4][5] The band supported the album by touring with Suddenly, Tammy!^[6]

Production

The album was recorded in Nassau, Bahamas.^[7] The lyrics were written by lead singer David Schelzel, who wanted to return to the song-based writing of the first album, instead of concentrating mostly on the production.^[8][9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
Chicago Tribune	[11]
The Philadelphia Inquirer	[12]
The Record	[13]
The Tampa Tribune	[1]

Trouser Press thought that "the self-produced Beneath the Rhythm and Sound lacks the outside opinion it clearly needed; a more seasoned set of hands could've brought 'Sublime' (which pleads for multi-tracked backing vocals) and 'Either/Or' ... to much fuller fruition."^[14] The Washington Post determined that "this Anglophile Pennsylvania quartet cultivates a generalized mid-'80s British guitar-band sound on upbeat tunes like 'Peace of Mind' and 'Sublime', but when the pace slips toward the sauntering the debt to Morrissey and Marr becomes formidable."^[15] The Columbus Dispatch called Beneath the Rhythm and Sound "a lush, jangly, alluring collection of rock songs."^[16]

The St. Petersburg Times praised "Dave Lau's light sax on 'Bliss is Unaware'."^[17] The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that "you'd be hard-pressed to find a record more bland and blanched than the third release from the Ocean Blue... Choosing to set sail on a listless sea of English pop styles, David Schelzel affects the adenoidal mannerisms of New Order's Bernard Sumner, Haircut 100's Nick Heyward, and a host of Postard-label Scottish acts."^[12] The Chicago Tribune stated that the band "rings in a subtle alternative rock sound with swirling keyboards."^[11] The Record commended "the guitar and keyboard interplay that adds tension to 'Don't Believe Everything You Hear'."^[13]

AllMusic wrote: "Leaving behind the mellow minimalism of their first two records, the Pennsylvanians gave their ethereal music a brighter, glossier sheen on this record."^[10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by David Schelzel.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Peace of Mind"	2:59
2.	"Sublime"	3:08
3.	"Listen, It's Gone"	3:46
4.	"Either/Or"	3:43
5.	"Bliss Is Unaware"	2:24
6.	"Ice Skating at Night"	3:18
7.	"Don't Believe Everything You Hear"	3:47
8.	"Crash"	3:28
9.	"Cathedral Bells"	3:19
10.	"The Relatives"	2:58
11.	"Emotions Ring"	4:06

Personnel

The Ocean Blue

• David Schelzel – vocals, guitar
• Rob Minnig – drums, keyboards, backing vocals
• Bobby Mittan – bass guitar
• Steve Lau – keyboards, saxophone, backing vocals

Technical

• The Ocean Blue – producers (track 6), co-producers (tracks 1–5, 7–11)
• Kevin Moloney – co-producer (tracks 1–5, 7–11)
• Rob Minnig – engineer (track 6), mixing (tracks 6, 10–11)
• Michael Brauer – mixing (tracks 1–2, 8)
• Jay Healy – mixing (tracks 3–4, 8–9)
• Neil Davenport – photography
• Kim Champagne – art direction
• Scott Hull – mastering