Oh My God- The Night Undoes the Work of the Day

ARTIST: Oh My God

ALBUM: The Night Undoes the Work of the Day

LABEL: Split Red Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 9-12-09

Progressive pop act Oh My God's newest album is an unlikely blend of piano-driven pop, soul, New Wave, and even a hint of R&B. Despite hints of electronic elements on opening track "My Own Adventure," not to mention more prominent electric guitars than the band's last release, this album's strong point is its stripped down, almost acoustic arrangements, as evidenced by the lush ballad "Strangers on a Train" and the hand-claps, woodwinds, and pianos of "My Prayer." At times, the band's playfulness with genre puzzles more than it charms; "I Don't Think It's So Funny (How Time Slips Away)" veers from '70s rock 'n' roll on the verses to jazz-tinged soul on the chorus, and an upbeat, almost jittery cover of The Fixx's "One Thing Leads to Another" lacks the tension of the original. On the other hand, what seems like a cheesy soft rock pastiche on "Baby, Dream" actually turns out to be quite clever, thanks to lines like "She is moonshine, red wine, milk and honey / I'm a gun-shy white guy who's short on money" and "She plays the bass guitar like Sting: minimal." Likewise, "Baby There's Nothin' Wrong (You Just Gotta Go to Work)," though slight, is no less amusing for its slightness. On the other hand, not even the album's best songs quite make up for the disco harmonies and hackneyed lyrics of "I Dare You to Love Me," so in the end it's kind of a wash. Hardcore fans of '70s pop will probably enjoy the way Oh My God plays with that era's musical tropes, but cleverness alone isn't enough to save this album.

For more information, visit www.ohmygodmusic.com.