For those who are tired with the generic “flavor of the month” bands, Ours surpasses one’s musical expectation and transcends any preconceived music labels. In the world of the current music market, there seems to be the underline pressure for bands to conform to a cookie cutter mold, thus producing dull, lifeless and a lack of emotional intensity music. However, this is not the case with Ours.

Devoted eager fans traveled from across the country as far as the East Coast, Northern California, and San Diego to attend Ours’ The Glasshouse show, situated in the heart of the art colony of Pomona, California. Ours open the show with "Willing" from their latest album, Mercy-Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy, which immediately mesmerized the audience with Jimmy Gnecco (lead singer) vamping off vocal lines and the melodic guitar hook from lead guitarist Static.

"Willing" captivated the audience with Gnecco's powerful, melodically rich vocals complimented by the pulsating bass lines of bassist Race, steady beats of guest drummer James Dickens and high intensity rhythm guitar sound of Locke. The next song “Black” had a contrast of volume dynamics and high whisper-like vocals that unexpectedly became strong, intriguing vocals and music. The audience was then greeted with the atmospheric spacey introduction and Jimmy Gnecco’s infamous prevailing vocals in “Mercy”. It is these musically elements that lure and mesmerize audiences both loyal and new fans for years.

Ours played “Drowning” and “Here Is the Light” from their first amazing album Distorted Lullabies. New fans would not have the slightest clue that these incredible songs, that contain such musical and lyrical maturity, were written by Jimmy Gnecco as a young teenager but recorded a decade or more later. The soothing vocals at the beginning of “Ran Away to Tell the World” abruptly became emotionally intense screams at the musical bridge of the song. “Murder” mesmerized the audience with its hypnotic melodies, sonic ambience and enticing, intricate vocals. The percussive powerful song” Live Again” was followed by the song in one of Ours’ latest videos “God Only Wants You”. The dance beats of “Worst Things Beautiful” got the audience in dance frenzy. The show ended with “Get Up” featuring musical guests in the improvisational finale.

The creative contrasts in Ours’ music provide the listeners’ ears musical variety. Ours take their emotionally intense, intricate, experimental music to the next musical level. Ours’ live shows are breath taking and a must see. For more information about Ours, visit http://www.ours.net.

Ingrid Praniuk