Ark (We Are the Ocean album)

Background

Recorded in the summer of 2014, the band got new management on board, after the release of their last studio album, Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow, released in 2012. This is the first album to be written solely by the new line up, without any help from previous vocalist Dan Brown, who put work into their last release. This album marks the full departure from their original post-hardcore and pop punk sound, in favour of a more indie rock tone.

Track listing

All tracks written by We Are the Ocean. Lyrics by Liam Cromby.

Reception

ARK received mixed to positive reviews from critics. drownedinsound.com gave it a 8/10 praising non-stop rock n' roll flow, quoting "Each [track] is chock full of energy, watertight and detailed rhythm section work, and pummeling into a state of death by melody and counter-melody."

Bring The Noise also gave the album a strong 8/10 review, they said "With one swift move, We Are The Ocean had evolved from a gritty post-hardcore outfit to a tightly wound alternative rock group that are capable of punching out a twelve song album that is the physical embodiment of everything that is good about modern alternative rock."

Alreadyheard.com gave a more mixed review saying the album is powerful but they aren't sure who on We Are The Ocean's new sound, saying "At times 'Ark’ is modern and at others classy, but it’s also raw and polished. Sure variation is a good thing to have but once you’re finished with 'Ark’, you’re left confused as to who or what We Are The Ocean are now."

Mosh gave it a far more negative 2.5/5 stars quoting inconsistency in the album's sound.

Personnel