Riverboat Song, and a number 7 position for You Got It Bad, was nothing compared to number 4 hit, “The Day We Caught The Train” showed the bands perseverance was worth their while. Sell out UK arena tours and a series of major festivals followed, coinciding with latest single Profit in Peace, perhaps their most poignant so far, entering at number 13. To celebrate their climb up the rock ladder, the mod indie rockers release the follow-up to the previous studio album, North Atlantic Drift, a live CD recorded from their various appearances at festivals and concerts over the summer months, going by the name of “One For The Road” Opening with the classic sing along “The Riverboat Song,” the anthemic and strong live continues through two more tracks from the album that made them “Mosley Shoals.” “You’ve Got It Bad” with it’s samba influenced drum crazed frenzy to end, and fan favourite “The Circle.” As well as the classics, and crowd pleasers, OCS adds the element of surprise by covering The Small Faces “Wham Bam Thank you Mam” a song that suits the band down to a tee, and which they stomp through as though it was their own. There is a distinct lack of banter, and the talking is left only to almost unnecessary song introductions, but as everyone knows, there are some bands that can let the music do the talking, and OCS are one of them. One powerful highlight, follows anti-war tune, and live classic “Profit In Peace” when Simon Fowler expresses his feelings toward Bush and Blair shouting, “Do You Think Anyone’s Listening?” This sentiment is as poignant and as appreciated as the tune itself, with the gathered crowd clapping along and singing every word of this semi-acoustic offering, a natural tune to prompt strong audience participation. As the CD races toward the end, you are tinged with the feeling of a great gig coming to an end, as they stomp through the live stormer “Hundred Mile High City.” A guitar laden and drum stomping version, which naturally slides into crowd pleaser and classic “The Day We Caught The Train,” which prompts more audience participation and synchronised sing-alongs (think oooh-oooh la la) to every word. Just as you think they cannot play any more, OCS start up again with the well-crafted acoustic “Robin Hood,” an added bonus to the previous anthemic closer which left the festival goers on an ecstatic high, and ending with a surprise 2-line impersonation of the Oasis classic “Live Forever.” A powerful spark of an album, and a great way to re-live your summer if you saw OCS, If not, a great way to re-live the 90s and have a sing-along to some memorable tunes, and to enjoy some powerful live performances, it’s almost as if you are there! http://www.oceancolourscene.com Katherine Tomlinson | 
