I read the editorial review by Jason Joseph and I couldn't disagree with him more. True the first I heard of Oleander was that they were the "new Nirvana" and they do bring across a feeling in thier lyrics that demands thought and not just head banging or knocking around the mosh pit. They are more commercially viable than Alice in Chains but the "Stone Temple Pilots element" is what makes the music worth the listen. This is a good band that carries the grunge name and not some of the new dispose all garbage we are getting from Saliva or every new Korn wannabe.

Mind you, this is your basic power chord music but do yourself a favor and trade your hard earned cash for this CD. You'll be banging the steering wheel as you drive through traffic or across the country side. This is a definite 5 star cd for the genre it fits into as well as for production value and content.

A band that is definitely paving paths for future pop/rock
What can you expect from a CD which has a little robot in a flower field on the cover? A WHOLE lot. Oleander have their instruments tuned (and distorted at the same time) to perfection. They can also play with a superlative amount of talent, with lead singer Thomas Flowers' distinctive vocals. To many people, this album is a breath of fresh air over " Shrinking The Blob", which some found to be inferior.
Here is a track breakdown:

1. You'll Find Out- Excuse me, but did someone see or hear an alien UFO land on the beginning of this song? Very different and distorted. Hence, does this recall the opening style or sound to Nirvana's "Stay Away?"-4/10

2. Stupid- Better than the first; completely listenable. Ends a little bit too abruptly, though.-5/10

3. Down When I'm Loaded- THE BEST FRIGGIN' SONG ON THIS WHOLE DAMN ALBUM!!! This was also a radio hit a while back. Perfectly paced song, with excellent alternative guitar hooks.-11/10

4. Why I'm Here- Just ONE step down from the previous song. This has Nirvanaesque hooks to it. Hence, the beginning of "Heart-Shaped Box."-9/10

5. I Walk Alone- If I could squeeze in my rating between "Why I'm Here" and "Down When I'm Loaded"-well I actually can, making this song a 10/10. I can also REALLY relate to this song.

6. Lost Cause- Ummmm...I don't know. I think they could have put a little more time and effort into this song. The guitar choruses are also annoyingly repetitive.-3/10

7. Where Were You Then?- A very fine song, but the guitar riffs this time on the solo sound random and contrived.-6/10

8. Shrinking The Blob- SUCKS.-1/10

9. How Could I?- A beautiful, beautiful ballad, and very ,melodic. Slow and relaxing. I think that every rock album should have a cool-down song like this.-10/10

10. Boy's Don't Cry- This song seems like a filler, but I have to admit it IS good, although a LITTLE bit fast.-7/10

11. Never Again- The closing song on this CD, and also a very promising one! It seems like Thomas is talking about breaking some of his bad habits on this song. Role model? You be the judge.-8/10

Well, that's it. Hopefully this information will guide you to a classic CD. In other words, February Son by Oleander. Buy it now.

Throw Back
Some say that grunge ended metal forever. Evidently unaware that grunge was itself metal; Oleander set out to disprove the elusive myth. They are a throw back's throw back, representing the leading edge of metal before it descended in the self indulgent clichés of the hair bands. Hard, edgy and only slightly screechy, Oleander will doubtless please old Dio fans who are looking for a return to the good old days, when Devils were devils and rock bands thought that loud meant good. To anyone weaned on the alt craze of the nineties, they will just seem dated.

A total gem!
It's funny because I did not hear about Oleander when this
CD came out. I must say every song from the gripping
"You'll Find Out" to the promising closing "Never Again",
is extremely idyllic and hard-rocking. I especially LOVE
the guitar solo near the end of "Where Were You Then", and
the soft and charming "How Could I". If you heard the song
"Down When I'm Loaded", this is the CD with that hit single
on it. Like in some of the other reviews, they describe it
as anthemic, and it really is. I LOVE the confronting loud
words on it. On a grade scale from 1-10, I give this an
11! Buy it today!!!

Concert got me hooked
I only bought this CD after I saw this band in concert, even though I had heard and really enjoyed, "Why I'm Here" on the radio. Their show was very energetic and based on the songs I heard I knew that I'd be playing their CD for a long time. The prediciton came true as the CD quickly became one of my favorites. The CD is very easy to listen to as the group changes pace throughout the album, instead of letting every song sound the same. On the whole a very enjoyable record and highly reccomended.
Oleander take their name from a highly poisonous shrub. A spin of February Son makes one wonder why they didn't decide on a more straightforward name like The Bastard Sons of Alice in Chains. The opening cut "Why I'm Here" is a wholesale clearance on grunge staples: the subdued verses, the Stone Temple Pilots vocals gaining speed as the chorus, wavelike, rises and crashes on the same ears that grew bored with this sound years before. At times the boys in the band stretch in a more interesting poplike direction, but not enough to reach into that part of the brain that remembers strikingly good music. --Jason Josephes