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.
| 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] |
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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editAll 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
editBand
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. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ "Review". www.ox-fanzine.de.
- ^ "Equally energetic but even less distinctive..." The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 April 2022.