Our Lady Peace: Be Clumsy

Discovery Collegiate
Bonavista, Newfoundland

By Jill H. (Grade 12)

Two years after they rocked with "Naveed," Our Lady Peace has come up with a new album, "Clumsy." "Naveed" sold more than 500,000 copies in North America and "Clumsy" is showing the same potential.

The new album shows signs similar to the original Our Lady Peace-sound with new experimental effects.

The lyrics on "Clumsy" are amazing. Each song has a story behind it, relating to society, and demonstrates through great use of metaphors, similes, and personification. For example, take the first single, "Superman's Dead". This song explains media manipulation in society and shows how much people are influenced by television.

Raine Maida's singing of the lyrics also shows the band's growth. On the first album, he seemed to have molded his voice to produce a certain sound, whereas on "Clumsy" he uses his natural singing voice.

What I personally like about this album are the extremely original and awkward melodies that flow throughout. My favorites include hit singles "Superman's Dead" and "Clumsy," as well as the powerful "Car Crash" and "Carnival".

The disappointment of this album is that it is not enhanced. Many of today's compact discs are enhanced so they can be played in the CD-ROM of a computer. Enhanced CDs have fascinating facts on a band and may include video and song clips.

Although "Clumsy" is not of the quality of "Naveed," in my opinion, its lyrical and musical sophistication is definitely worth paying the usual CD price of twenty dollars.


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