Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Ocean Street is a country-indie sound for a mellow ear, soft heart, and easy step. Relaxing, soothing, and something to swing to in your southern style rocking chair sipping on your refreshing drink of debut. Yes, this is their debut album, a quintet based out of Alabama. Originally dropped in September of 2006, subsequently Ocean Street remixed, remastered, and re-released the disc in January 2007 through their own independent label.

The band includes: front man Andy Kropf (with one Strum of Acoustic guitar), Mark Kovaly, musical director, with Keys, Organ, and Background vocals, Steve Queasier with Acoustic guitar and background vocals, Lance Price with Acoustic and Electric guitar as well as background vocals, and Joe Reda as bass guitar. This veteran sounding band has the singing styles of Dave Mathews and Tracy Chapman- a mellow combination, gentle and melodious. Thirteen tracks of pure listening pleasure and a peaceful diversion from the noise that sometimes pollutes the airwaves.

Prior to fronting Ocean Street, Kropf did some time in the Detroit Tiger’s farm system. He states that music and sports share a commonality- “In the minors we’d be traveling from town to town on a bus and 35 guys. In a band, you’re doing the same thing, but with maybe 7 people. I took things from baseball on the business side more than anything. Both are very cut throat, but baseball has more structure. In music, you have to wake up everyday and make things happen for yourself.” And there are several things happening for Ocean Street including their songs being licensed to appear in seven shows, two of which include MTV’s the real world and road rules.

Although the band is beginning to take off, Ocean Street is an album ready for a mellow audience and something that I would probably pass on the shelf!