O.A.R.'s debut album
The Wanderer has three songs clocking in at over seven minutes, but you never gets the sense that you're listening to extended jams because the storytelling lyrics and musical changes create a feeling of several short songs within a single track. This good-time party band brings together a mix of reggae, folk, and ska to create a fresh sound that resonates long after the album is over. The second track, "That Was a Crazy Game of Poker" exemplifies all that is infectious about
O.A.R.'s sound and is an instant classic that will surely become a staple of their live shows. Lyrically, the album often provides insight into the college experience. Road trips, hangovers, and poker games are just a few of the subjects covered on the album.
O.A.R. is college-underground-alternative rock at its best. The looseness of the arrangements is evidence that there are merits to creating an album that is not overly produced. ~ Erik Crawford