Ooberman - Beany Bean

by Jonjo McNeill

published: 7 / 2 / 2003

Label: Rotodisc
Format: CD

"Eclectic mix of ska, pop and wry Yorkshire wit" from critics' favourite, Ooberman

Review

After years of near misses and plain mishits, critics' favourite Ooberman are back on new label Rotodisc with the first single from their second album 'Hey Petrunko'. 'Beany Bean' is an eclectic mix of ska, pop and wry Yorkshire wit. Kicking off with a fuzzy bass and organ riff reminiscent of Madness, lead vocalist Dan Popplewell begs the question "Do you ever get the feeling / That you're missing out on something?" like a less sleazy Jarvis Cocker. It's an upbeat pop song with lyrics about, well, not knowing much about life. "I need a holiday" sings Sophia Churney on backing vocals in the song's coda - and you can certainly liken listening to this track with sitting on a beach, such is the sunny nature of the music. A cracker of a song after a few listens, the initial confusion I felt was replaced with a strong feeling of knowing (and loving) this for years. Track two 'Just Sittin Here' is as American and Bluesy as a band from the North of England could sound. The most simple of sentiments is expressed in a chorus not dissimilar to Parklife-era Blur. Again, initial reaction to this was confused. I couldn't work out whether or not this was annoying - but I perservered, and am a better man for it. There's even a shade of Spiritualized's drug-induced emotional longing - "Next to me I've got my prescription box / I'm confused you see / I think I love you." The EP winds up with the Britpoppy 'Car Song'. Not an Elastica cover, rather an ode to the summertime. You could almost be listening to a less fey Belle & Sebastian. As a relative newcomer to the band, I (eventually) found Ooberman to be a breath of fresh air. Whilst their eclectic mix of styles may put some people off, I would urge you to listen to this CD repeatedly. Mixing up the best elements of Pulp, Blur, Belle & Sebastian and Madness, they don't overdo any of the elements and this serves them well. If you're an impatient person you'll not have time for this, but anyone willing to give it a few spins will be intrigued and delighted. Let's hope for more of this very soon.