Ocean Colour Scene’s Set at Whisky Shows Shortcomings

Ocean Colour Scene certainly isn’t coy about its influences. The British quartet’s target-like logo echoes that of the early Who, and the group titled its current album “Moseley Shoals” as a tribute to the Birmingham suburb they come from and to Muscle Shoals, the legendary blues/R&B; recording studio in Alabama.

But their music, though cleverly infused with elements both Beatle-esque and mod, neither captures the Fab Four’s meticulous pop aesthetic nor crackles with the Who’s edgy, “maximum R&B;” verve. These shortcomings, only moderately evident on the album, were considerably more obvious during the group’s performance at the Whisky on Tuesday.

For the most part, bassist Damon Minchella and drummer Oscar Harrison were too restrained to whip up a bracing rhythmic attack, and Steve Craddock’s guitar work tended to fizzle rather than sizzle. Simon Fowler, though a decent singer, lacked the kind of fiery charisma that made mod frontmen from Roger Daltrey to Paul Weller so exciting. Even gutsy backing vocals from guest singer P.P. Arnold couldn’t compensate for the missing zest. If anything, her soulful interjections only emphasized the band’s inability to really groove.

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but a true homage involves more than just copping poses. OCS might be bold enough to crib from its mentors, but the group doesn’t have the chops to make the swag work for it.