Oleander-Shrinking the Blob (1996/1997)

(Art direction/ design by Doug Eldridge, Paul Niklewicz; Photos by Scott Mcchane)

Oleander are perhaps a bit more well known than most of the bands I share on here. The follow up to this album (1999's February Son) was certified gold, they played Woodstock '99, and they have had some pretty high profile soundtrack credits (Dawson's Creek and American Pie to name a couple). Still, Shrinking the Blob (Oleander's sole independent release as far as I know; on Fine Records) is often unfairly overlooked.

Yes, these guys fit into the "post grunge" mold...but on Shrinking the Blob they tug a little toward the "grunge" side as opposed to the "post" side...a little. Just looking at the B-Movie inspired title may give one the impression that these guys aren't as grand and earnest as Live-nor do they have the pseudo-spiritual undertones of Creed (I genuinely enjoy both groups by the way...not taking pot-shots here)...and that impression would be correct. Check out the grit and propulsiveness of tracks like "Half an Ass", which boasts a ferocious circular riff recalling Nirvana's "Dive":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1AYwk34lVo

Unfortunately, lyrically, it sheds little to no light on the evocative title. How is the ass in question bi-sected? Vertically or horizontally? I would suggest that vertically (i.e. into two equal cheeks) makes the most sense + maintains the most tissue/ cheek integrity...but I must digress.

Here it is live, followed by another track from the album, "Jimmy Shaker Day":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J_njRX8THo

And another rocker, "Silver Lined":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My6mZMhca7o

So, as you can hear, this album will be an interesting case for historians and future anthropologists charting the passage of the grunge era into the post grunge era. As they pore over the shards of broken pottery, the hieroglyphics, the fossilized boom boxes, what conclusions will they reach? I am not suggesting that this album is the missing link-the change was already well underway by 1996...but this could be one of many albums released in the chasm between the two eras that really encapsulates the evolution.

Exhibit A-"Why I'm Here". The track would be cleaned up a bit and re-recorded for February Son (where it was a reasonably big hit), but the rough and ready version on Shrinking the Blob is even better. I can't find that version on Youtube, so here's a live version to give you an idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKNVO8QWI3U

(Art/ Design credits same as those listed under cover)