Oz Factor (album)
| Oz Factor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 1996 | |||
| Recorded | November–December 1995 at Pyramid Sound, Ithaca, New York | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 33:57 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | Greg Graffin | |||
| Unwritten Law chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| The Tampa Tribune | [2] |
Oz Factor is the second album and major label debut by American punk rock band Unwritten Law, released in 1996 by Epic Records.[5][6] The songs "Superman" and "Denied" became minor hits on local rock radio stations.
Unwritten Law supported the album by touring with Bad Religion.[7][8] It was the band's last album with bassist John Bell, who left the band following the supporting tours.
Production[edit]
The band spent about six months writing songs for the album, which was produced by Greg Graffin, of Bad Religion.[9][10][11][12][13] Brian Baker, also of Bad Religion, appeared on the album as well. The songs "Suzanne" and "Shallow" are re-recordings of songs from the band's debut album, Blue Room.
Critical reception[edit]
The Washington Post thought that "only a few tracks (notably 'Shallow' and 'Tell Me Why') bear a strong resemblance to Bad Religion's high-speed folkie-punk, but everything on Oz has been heard somewhere before."[14] The San Diego Union-Tribune determined that the album "gets its mosh-pit kick from Wade Youman's breakneck drums and John Bell's antsy bass and its pop snap from the band's twisted way with a catchy tune."[4] The Tampa Tribune opined that "the title track boasts blistering rhythm work and loose-limbed downshifts a la NOFX."[2]
AllMusic wrote that the album "sounds like a lighter-weight and much lamer version of Green Day's Dookie, having the same power pop take on skatepunk."[3]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Unwritten Law (Scott Russo, Steve Morris, Rob Brewer, John Bell, and Wade Youman)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Superman" | 3:36 |
| 2. | "Oz Factor" | 2:50 |
| 3. | "Suzanne" | 2:58 |
| 4. | "Denied" | 2:24 |
| 5. | "Tell Me Why" | 2:55 |
| 6. | "Rejected" | 2:14 |
| 7. | "Falling Down" | 2:26 |
| 8. | "Shallow" | 3:11 |
| 9. | "Differences" | 3:27 |
| 10. | "Lame" | 2:36 |
| 11. | "Stop to Think" | 1:19 |
| 12. | "The Legend of Johnny and Sarah" | 3:50 |
| Total length: | 33:57 | |
Personnel[edit]
Band[edit]
- Scott Russo – lead vocals
- Steve Morris – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Rob Brewer – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- John Bell – bass guitar
- Wade Youman – drums
Additional musicians[edit]
- Brian Baker – guitar solo on "Suzanne"
Production[edit]
- Greg Graffin – producer
- Paul DuGre – engineer, mixing
- Rob Hunter – assistant engineer and mixing
- Alex Perialas – additional engineering
- George Marino – mastering
Artwork[edit]
- David Coleman – art direction
- Bagel – cover illustration
- John Dunne – photography
References[edit]
- ^ Edward. "A new life for Unwritten Law". The USCD Guardian. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c Jeter, Jeff (June 28, 1996). "UNWRITTEN LAW, Oz Factor". The Tampa Tribune. FRIDAY EXTRA!. p. 21.
- ^ a b c "Oz Factor - Unwritten Law | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b Peterson, Karla (April 11, 1996). "OZ FACTOR UNWRITTEN LAW". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Entertainment. p. 11.
- ^ "Unwritten Law Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ ""The songs chose themselves," Unwritten Law's Scott Russo talks acoustic album, touring, more". Alternative Press Magazine. December 10, 2015.
- ^ Weatherford, Mike (29 Mar 1996). "Illnesses affect some concerts, but theres always Beach Boys, Benatar, Bad Religion". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 2J.
- ^ Gubbins, Teresa (April 5, 1996). "BAD RELIGION AT DEEP ELLUM LIVE". The Dallas Morning News. Guide. p. 36.
- ^ "RockNet Interview: Unwritten Law's Steve Morris". Archived from the original on May 30, 2001. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Unwritten Law The Law Pays". Archived from the original on February 18, 2001. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "Unwritten Law on first Aussie tour". Archived from the original on February 26, 2000. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "Unwritten Law Leave Their Mark". www.mtv.com. February 15, 1996. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ "Review". www.ox-fanzine.de.
- ^ "Equally energetic but even less distinctive..." The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
