The ocean is a theory, a representation of grace, unfailing faithfulness and love. No matter how many times it is pushed back by the sands of the beach, the tide brings it back, stronger than ever. In this way it is a physical picture of God’s love. No matter how it is pushed away, it cannot be weakened, and it will return. The ocean is a theory. Such is the thinking behind the name of the alternative rock group “Ocean Is Theory” and behind their debut EP “Into the Mouths of Lions”.

Musically, the disc is quite unique. Resembling recent releases from Emery, As Cities Burn, and Search The City, while maintaining a refreshing distinctiveness. The sound itself is equal parts hard hitting, clean, and edgy, all mixed together with a nautical influence. The vocals bring to mind those of As Cities Burn, but are in a league all their own, conveying emotions ranging from joy to angst in ways not often found in the alternative rock circuit.

The album opens with “Plant Your Fields”. One of the two harder tracks on the disc, opening with a simple but powerful dirty guitar duo before lapsing into the delay adorned verse. The song then breaks into the powerful and catchy chorus as the singer cries out “All that I need / is the smallest seed / to move the city / all that I see / is expressed in apathy / but I won’t lose faith / or be like the Pharisees”

We then move forward into “By No Means” a track with crunchy guitars, soaring delay, and an exceptional drum beat. Lyrically, the track is a standout with lines like “I’ll use those pictures you thought lost / when your house burned to the ground / all of those battles that you fought / why are you keeping them around?” and the chorus “Must we force this grace to increase? / by no means / thoughts would change from these mistakes / as mercy covers sin / we owe you everything”

As the final echo from “By No Means” fades out, we’re swept up by the soaring guitar intro to “More Than Conquerors”. This track also features a rather unique drum beat, and exceptional delay on the guitar work. The chorus stands strong, with its musicianship and lyricism. Lines like “We are more than conquerors / by your grace” are simple, true, and flow wonderfully with the music.

The fourth track, “Oh Broken Son” speaks of losing oneself in God’s grace, and not bending to the will of the world. The chorus sings “I’m a ship that’s lost its coordinates / in a sea of your grace / not coming back / not coming back” before breaking into the epic bridge in which the lyrics say “I want my ashes in the sea / I want you to remember me / as a man with a hear / who loved those in need / and didn’t say / “I was busy doing other things” / but now I’m coming clean / and I can hear the angels sing / hallelujah, broken son / mend the hearts / of broken ones/ hallelujah”

Following on the heels of “Broken Son” is the epic closer “City Of Water”. This is the most poetically cryptic track on the disc, flowing along with lines such as “his feet sink into the sand / his heartbeat quickens to the pace of the ocean / I love being alone / he lies / thoughts of grace carried out with his heart tonight / tonight!” The track is at its best with lyrics like this, the music swelling perfectly to increase the emotional grip the song takes on its listener. However, this is not to say the track is weak at all with its more straightforward lyrics like “I can’t regret this decision now / because you love me / like no one else” Such simple wording is used well, only helping to bring the album to its finely orchestrated ending.

The overall theme of “Into The Mouths Of Lions” is grace, and by extension; love and redemption. Not only is the album’s title a blatant reference to the story of Daniel, but the theme of grace is found throughout the disc. From the Romans 8 inspired “More Than Conquerors” to the final lines of “City Of Water” the lyricism is filled to bursting with the idea of second chances, third chances and so on. OIT has crafted one of the very best albums to be found in the independent music scene, able to go toe-to-toe with any major label release. With a second disc on the way this month, now is the perfect time to pick up this stellar release from the guys of Ocean Is Theory.

Foxrock66 / E.C. Cook

Epic Tail Studios 2009

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