Thomas Dolby - Oceanea EP

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 6 / 6 / 2011

Label: Thomas Dolby
Format: CDS

intro

Mature, but surprisingly conservative second comeback EP from 80's synth oddball, Thomas Dolby

'The Oceanea EP' is Thomas Dolby's first release in twenty years apart from a download EP last year, Born in 1958, Thomas Dolby started life as a street musician in Paris, before playing synths for various new wave acts including Lene Lovich. He played on Foreigner's '4', which was a massive seller in 1981, and then went solo later that way. He had oddball hits with both 'She Blinded Me With Science' and 'Hyperactive' in 1982 and 1984, and in 1985 produced Prefab Sprout's 'Steve McQueen'. He moved to L.A., did a few soundtracks that didn't do well, quit music, got married and went into technology. His company Beatnik Inc. made music applications for the internet, and in 1999 created the technology for mobile phones' ringtones and which allows them to play audio tracks. His download EP, which is called 'Amerikana', tells of some of his history. This new EP, which has three tracks, shows his mature side. 'The Oceanea EP' is coffee table music, or what was known back in the day as yuppie music. It has coolly deliveed and his voice has matured well, lost his eccentricity and been replaced with grace and style. It will please the George Michael and Radio 2 crowd. The title track is sung as a duet with Eddi Reader, and sounds like Everything But The Girl. 'Simone', the second track, lasts almost six minutes, is a gentle summer song that makes you dream of warm days. Now that he is back in the UK I am not sure that he will see that California sun anymore. 'To the Lifeboats' is softly flowing, well played and gentle on the ears. 'The Oceanea EP' is well performed, but a surprisingly conservative EP from this former eccentric

Track Listing:-